It was the Amazon Adventure zone.
"That! Let's go on that one!"
The line was longer than expected, but thanks to an unexpected twist we got to ride quickly.
It was the Flume Ride Boat! This boat didn't even have a single waterproof cover.
While getting soaked is expected with this kind of ride, it seemed many people disliked being drenched, so there were few passengers. I just desperately wanted to experience it and headed straight for the Flume Ride Boat.
"Flume Ride Boat arriving. Any passengers boarding?"
"We're here!"
"Hey! Are you crazy?!"
I heard Si-hyun cursing at me, but I paid no attention.
"This way please, you two lovebirds!"
I giggled and pulled Si-hyun's hand.
"What's the big deal! Let's go!"
"Ah damn it. We're going to be soaked."
There were other passengers who wanted to ride too, so we quickly filled up and departed. Si-hyun and I shared the same boat.
The small boat raced along the rushing water. With every sharp turn, waves splashed front and back; when we hit the rapids, the spray hit so hard I could barely keep my eyes open.
While struggling to keep my balance, my body kept bumping into Si-hyun, my chest pressing against him, but I was too preoccupied to care. More concerning was how my soaked clothes clung to my body, clearly outlining my chest and thighs.
The passenger across from me kept sneaking glances, but I decided to pretend not to notice. I'd chosen this myself, so I had to accept it.
Then Si-hyun tried to shield me with his arm, but he ended up repeatedly brushing against my chest, making it even more embarrassing.
"Oh, just leave it."
"Sigh, this is exactly why I didn't want you riding this."
While we talked, the boat reached the end and we got off.
Completely drenched, my makeup seemed somewhat ruined too.
"Ah, totally soaked like I thought. I'm going to the restroom."
"Okay, let's meet in front of that souvenir shop."
The women's restroom had a long line. While waiting, I kept wringing water from my clothes.
When I finally got inside, I squeezed as much water as possible from my hair and clothes.
I used cosmetics from my bag to fix the smeared makeup. Though I'd tidied up somewhat, there was no solution for the clothes sticking to my body. In the end, I had to walk out holding my collar away from my skin.
Si-hyun was already waiting at the meeting spot, holding something.
"Ah, are you a child?"
"What?"
He suddenly tossed me a towel printed with animal characters.
"Huh?"
It was cartoon merchandise. As I was drying myself with the towel, Si-hyun pulled a shirt over my head, also a cartoon-print T-shirt.
"Such taste."
"You're the foolish one."
Well... he was right. I should have thought of that earlier. Now I looked utterly ridiculous: wearing a cartoon T-shirt with a towel draped around my neck.
After trying a few more rides, we left the amusement park before sunset.
Walking toward the parking lot, I felt incredibly happy.
"Mmm~ That was so much fun!"
"Looks like you really enjoyed yourself?"
"Yeah, it's been so long since I had this much fun."
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Yes, it really had been. Playing this freely...
Probably since elementary school? From middle school onward, our schedules never matched up between studying and self-improvement, leaving little time for outings together.
Though I often enjoyed being with Si-hyun after becoming a Hunter, it felt different. Hanging out as adults usually meant eating good food and drinking. Playing purely like today might have been our first time?
"Right? It brings back so many memories."
"We used to spend every day at the playground or sports field in elementary school."
So many memories surfaced. Childhood moments I thought I'd forgotten kept coming back after partnering with Si-hyun as Hunters. Suddenly feeling shy, I walked ahead of him, then spun around.
"Let's come back together next time, okay?"
Si-hyun smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
That was all I needed to hear. At least I could keep enjoying this happiness for a while longer.
-
-
On the ride back, we briefly discussed our next Expedition plan.
Our first C-Class Gate Expedition would take place in Mungyeong City.
"So we'll encounter elephants?"
"something like Woolly mammoths would be more accurate."
Could we really hunt something like that? Considering the size of adult elephants, just the two of us would have a hard time.
"Isn't it too reckless to start with such a high difficulty?"
"You can mainly fight with Javelin Throw."
"It's not that... I know you're strong, Si-hyun. But wouldn't fighting together be better?"
"Because some Monsters there have tusks. Each tusk sells for 500,000."
...What?
500,000!?
"I heard tusks were used for crafts and artworks in the past, making them extremely valuable. Before Gates appeared, a single tusk could sell for tens of millions?"
Te... tens of millions?!
"Actually, after Gates appeared, similar Monsters started coming out, which caused prices to drop. But they're still expensive."
"Wow... each one has two tusks, so catching one with tusks would earn us a million?"
"Pretty much."
A sudden realization hit me.
"Won't there be lots of people then?"
"I've heard there are quite a few. But the difficulty forces team combat, and higher-ranked Hunters can make money from other Monster byproducts, so it's more worthwhile than you'd think."
As expected... only someone like Si-hyun with nearly top B-Class strength could pull this off.
"Fine, let's do it then. What choice do I have?"
Being the weak one, I had no say in the matter.
We finalized Si-hyun's plan and had pork trotters for dinner.
Spicy pork trotters!
Ever since becoming a girl, I've developed this strange addiction to spicy food.
-
-
On the morning of our Gate Expedition, I woke up with an unsettled feeling.
"Ugh, annoying."
This was my fourth time, so I was used to it. Should I be grateful? It seemed the flow had just started, so no blood had stained the sheets yet.
I could now predict the mood swings before my period and handle them, never repeating the serious mistakes from the first time.
"Sleep well?"
I found Oppa in the living room when I came out.
"can you give me a good Artifact oppa."
"sure i guess, I'll tell you when i have something nice for you. Anything for my sister. "
My already childish brother seemed even more childlike today.
I ignored him and continued preparing.
My period meant I had more things to pack.
Busy packing extra underwear and sanitary napkins. So much work.
I no longer wore my combat gear in advance. Most Gates had suitable buildings nearby with public servants stationed there, complete with convenient facilities and changing rooms - I'd realized I could just change there. So I casually tossed my spare clothes into Si-hyun's car. Of course, I still packed separate underwear and sanitary napkins in my backpack.
The drive to Mungyeong would take two hours, so I decided to catch up on sleep during the ride.
"Si-yeon? Didn't sleep well last night?"
"No, it's that time of the month."
"Ah, got it."
"Yeah."
Before, Si-hyun would have scolded me for mentioning such things, but now it was necessary information. This served as an early warning of "I'm feeling unwell, don't provoke me," making both of us more careful.
Just last month, I'd pushed through menstrual cramps and made a mistake during combat that led to us being surrounded by Monsters. Si-hyun got trapped because of it.
Although Si-hyun quickly dealt with the Monsters with all his strength, I had foolishly betrayed the trust of someone who had my back.
Si-hyun panicked and I nearly got hurt, so he lost his temper at the time. I apologized, but back then I'd grown careless, thinking the Expedition wasn't that difficult.
That time, I ended up crying and telling Si-hyun through sobs that my period pains were too severe, watching as he dropped to his knees and bowed in apology.
After that, we agreed I should speak up when feeling unwell, especially about such matters to avoid misunderstandings. I also learned that pushing through wasn't the best strategy.
"Si-yeon?"
Si-hyun's voice woke me from deep sleep.
"Tired? Want to sleep more?"
I rubbed my heavy eyelids and sat up.
"Are we there?"
"Yeah, rest more if you're tired."
"No, I should get up."
While stretching, I noticed quite a few people around.
"There's a lot of people."
"Fewer than expected, actually. Or maybe they already entered the Gate?"
What? This was considered few? Though catching one with tusks could indeed earn millions...
I took my gear to the changing room. When I emerged wearing my familiar equipment, it still drew brief glances.
Summer was still summer. The Rider Suit clung tightly to my body, making me hot even without moving.
I met up with Si-hyun to register, but the public servant stopped us.
"Confirming there's only two of you?"
"Yes."
"One C-Class and one D-Class? This Gate has high difficulty and frequent accidents. Two people might struggle. Would you consider another Gate?"
The public servant's reaction was reasonable. A two-person team for a C-Class Gate without both being C-Class - their concern made sense.
"Thank you for your concern. We'll be fine, please let us through."
Of course, the public servant didn't know Si-hyun actually had B-Class capabilities. Though I was indeed somewhat holding him back. The sighing public servant completed our registration, and we headed toward the Gate.
As usual, we entered the Gate through a jump. The otherworld that unfolded before my eyes was completely different from what I'd expected.
I had imagined something like the African savannas shown on TV, but reality proved otherwise.
The otherworld spread before me was barren, desolate land. Though not as hot as outside, breathing was unusually difficult. The wind carried scorching sand particles, and the air was extremely dry.
"Wow, this is nothing like I imagined."
"Right? The sunlight isn't that strong, but the dryness is terrifying. Good thing we were told to bring extra water."
Si-hyun's words made me realize - my throat felt like it was cracking with every breath.
And so we began our journey to hunt Monsters in this otherworld.
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