The next day, Han Seokmin went to check on Baek Haemin again. As usual, he didn't bother too much on greetings and went straight to the point. He pointed a thermometer gun at Haemin's forehead until it beeped.
「37℃」
Han Jiwon peeked at it, and her face gleamed.
"Oh?"
Haemin smiled at her, asking with his expression how it is.
Jiwon nodded at him enthusiastically.
"You did it, Haemin-nim!"
They gave each other a high-five while jumping in joy before Han Seokmin even managed to confirm it himself.
Baek Haemin was forbidden from going out for more than a week by now. Baek Raehwan told him he could only go once his body temperature was back to normal.
After suffering from boredom and having unwanted meals with his older brother, he's finally free.
Han Seokmin, who became his personal doctor in the meantime, couldn't care less though. He nudged his glasses before faking a cough to get everybody's attention.
"Ahem, young master."
"Ah, right."
Haemin paused before politely sitting in front of the doctor.
Seokmin sighed, showing the thermometer's screen to him.
"As you can see, you're fine now. How is it? Are you still feeling unnaturally hot?"
"Hmm, no, not anymore. I think I'm really good now."
"Then that's good. I will go now since I have to report to the guildmaster about this."
Han Seokmin put his tools back in his bag and got up.
"Ah, wait. Thank you very much for taking care of me all this time. I know it wasn't easy."
Haemin gave him a genuine smile and kept it short, for the doctor's sake.
Han Seokmin's mouth opened slightly as he stared at him. He glanced at his younger sister before responding.
"Yes. That's why, I hope it doesn't happen again."
He turned around and exited the room without looking back. Haemin watched him with a meek smile before making eye contact with Han Jiwon. They jumped in joy once again at Baek Haemin's freedom.
***
Baek Haemin proceeded to change clothes immediately after Raehwan's approval. His first destination is a mall.
The reason for this is when he first regained consciousness, the first thing he did was check his phone. Han Jiwon told him he got the money from the Blue Dragon Guild's commission.
「1,500,000,000 won deposited.」
"O, o, one bill–?!"
He couldn't help but cover his mouth from shock.
Just h, how many zeroes are there?!
Haemin turned to ask Jiwoo,
"Are you sure this is the right amount?! They're not going to ask for it back once they realize, right?"
"That's just the right amount, Haemin-ssi. Originally, it takes about 300 million won to commission you for lower-ranking gates, and the agreement for this one is 750 million won. However, since the rank of the gate changed inside, they decided to give you double that amount. That was also the first appearance of an SS-Rank monster after five years, so its value is unimaginable."
Jiwon kindly explained to him.
300 million for lower-ranking gates is still crazy though…
It was money he'd never earn, no matter how much he worked hard, as Baek Seungho.
She also told him that tons of media outlets covered the SS-Rank gate, not to mention the reporters saw her carry him while exiting the gate. While the appearance of an SS-Rank monster instilled fear on the citizens' hearts, they still couldn't help but be more shocked that Baek Haemin and Ryu Jinmu went on a raid together.
「The Country's Sole SS-Rank Hunter Finally Accepting Baek Haemin?」
「How Baek Haemin Seduced The Strongest Hunter.」
「Is This The Birth Of The Strongest Couple?」
All the recent articles were filled with similar titles, flooding the internet. The controversies surrounding Baek Haemin were endless, but to top it off with Ryu Jinmu. The comment section was full of heated arguments around the two hunters.
「No way this is true. That Baek Haemin? Seriously?」
「Ryu Jinmu-ssi, please get away.」
「I bet 100% that fucker used his brother again.」
「As usual.」
「Jinmu-nim, please tell us and we'll do everything we can.」
「Wow, seducing Ryu Jinmu… amazing.」
Don't say I seduced him! I didn't do anything at all, okay?! They needed a support hunter, and we both had no choice! Stop acting like I initiated it!
His hands trembled while reading the comments on the articles. He already had a rough idea of Baek Haemin's public reputation, but this was too much.
They were all implying that the bratty support hunter, Baek Haemin, used his connections and his brother's power in order to seduce the innocent and poor Ryu Jinmu.
"I'm innocent… Innocent, I say…"
He muttered under his breath. It felt as though his strength left his body from all the mental exhaustion he got from surfing the internet.
Anyway, that's why I'm going out! I have to go, and get some fresh air for once, seriously.
He refused the bodyguards offered to him and chose to walk around with only Han Jiwon by his side. It was too much for someone who was living a normal life just last month, but he's pretty comfortable with Jiwon now.
"There's a lot of people, huh…"
Haemin went to popular spots at the mall, but the crowd was bigger than he thought.
"Do you want me to go get some? Then, Haemin-nim can go around the mall."
Jiwon asked him with a smile.
"Huh, no, it's okay."
He wanted to get yogurt from this place after they had their meal, but the line seemed endless. Nonetheless, leaving Jiwon here alone was not an option.
The A-Rank Hunter giggled at his consideration.
"It's okay, Haemin-nim. Isn't this your first time going around alone anyway?"
"...Is it really okay?"
Jiwon nodded,
"Yes, sir. I'd be more than happy to wait here for our dessert."
Her smile was so bright, he felt his face burning up for a second before nodding.
"...Then, I'll be back soon."
"Yes, please enjoy."
She waved her hand at him.
It was true that he also wanted to go alone. Did Jiwon feel it? If so, then she really is a good and amazing person. That was what he thought as he walked away.