Please Give Me A Kiss, Healer! – Chapter 85

Author: Asternkm

“Wh-what? Vanilla bean cream… what?”

“Vanilla Bean Cream Blended with Dolce Cold Brew.”

Shin Ilguk said the extremely long menu name with a blank expression.

“What kind of coffee do you usually drink, Oh Nara Hunter?”

“Uh, I usually just drink americano….”

“If you’re only going to drink americano, there’s a small café in the alley behind the company that would be fine too. They use specialty coffee beans, and they even buy raw beans directly from farms. They roast it with a dark roast, so if you prefer coffee with low acidity, it should suit your taste.”

“Ah, yes….”

Oh Nara nodded, feeling a bit intimidated.

After that, Shin Ilguk continued explaining cafés and coffee near the company nonstop.

“The most famous café is Tree Pair Coffee, about three stops from here. It’s a large café with a forest-themed interior, and it’s very popular because they sell Greek-style desserts. They even opened a branch in Jeju Island last year….”

By the time his recommendations expanded to cafés all over the country—

Team Leader Yu Jaegyeong entered the office at the perfect timing.

“Did everyone enjoy lunch?”

“Yes, what about you, team leader?”

“I ate breakfast late today, so I skipped lunch. Anyway, we have an important discussion for our Special Team 7 today.”

After that, Team Leader Yu Jaegyeong called Jiwoo, Shin Ilguk, and Oh Nara to the meeting room.

“Everyone, please gather in the meeting room by 2 o’clock.”

After the announcement.

There was still time before the meeting, but Yu Jaegyeong arrived first at the meeting room.

Inside, where it was supposed to be empty, was Cha Taepyeong.

He had just woken up from a nap and looked half-asleep, smiling foolishly at her.

“What is it, honey? Did you know I was here and come looking for me? Did your love radar turn on?”

“Did you sleep here again? Why do you keep sleeping in the meeting room when we have a perfectly fine break room?”

“I don’t know why, but I sleep really well in meeting rooms. Isn’t that strange, honey?”

“Wipe the drool off your cheek.”

Cha Taepyeong roughly rubbed his cheek with his sleeve.

He kept wiping the wrong place, and Yu Jaegyeong sighed.

“Not there. The right side. Come here.”

Yu Jaegyeong took a wet tissue and wiped his cheek for him.

Her careful hands were very gentle.

Cha Taepyeong’s eyes were overflowing with affection, sparks almost flying between them.

“You know I love you a lot, right, honey?”

While letting her wipe his face, Cha Taepyeong kissed her.

His sneaky hands wrapped around her waist and slowly moved downward.

He whispered deeply,

“Should we go out to eat tonight after a long time? Have some wine at a hotel, then go upstairs for a hot date… huhaaak! D-Do Jiwoo Hunter, why are you standing there! When did you come in?!”

“Ahhh! I’m sorryyyy!”

Jiwoo had arrived early to the meeting room and accidentally witnessed a couple’s affection scene at the office.

She ran out in a panic, covering both cheeks.

‘Th-the room was soundproof, so I didn’t know they were doing that.’

Information about dungeon gates was strictly confidential.

Unless a team was assigned to a dungeon, outsiders could not see or hear anything. The company’s meeting rooms had top-level security systems.

Because all outside and inside noise was completely blocked, both the office couple and Jiwoo ended up in an unintended disaster.

‘S-so that’s what married life is like… hugging and touching so casually, wow.’

Her pale cheeks turned red like apples. Jiwoo fanned her hot face with her hand.

Just then, Guild Leader Shin Woohyuk, who was passing by the hallway, noticed Jiwoo and approached her.

“Hunter Do Jiwoo, what’s wrong? Is there a problem in the meeting room?”

“Eh? No! Nothing happened!”

“Then why is your face red?”

“My face? Hahaha, no way. Ah, maybe it’s because it’s hot! I’m really sensitive to heat!”

“I see. Then I should order more air conditioners installed in the meeting room.”

“No, no! You don’t need to do that just for me!”

“Hunter Do Jiwoo is not just ‘one person.’ If it’s for you, I could even cover the entire ceiling of this building with air conditioners.”

Shin Woohyuk reached for the meeting room door.

“Since we’re at it, I should go in and check the indoor temperature.”

“W-What? No, Guild Leader! You can’t go in right now!”

Jiwoo desperately blocked him.

The guild leader probably already had a bad impression of the Special Team 7 couple.

If he walked in and saw their heated skinship, it might become another transfer disaster.

The confused Shin Woohyuk asked,

“Why not?”

“I-I just saw a cockroach in there earlier!”

“A cockroach?”

“Yes! You know, even guild leaders are scared of bugs, right? Haha… maybe the building is old? I keep seeing bugs in the cafeteria too!”

As Jiwoo spoke without thinking, she immediately regretted it.

Shin Woohyuk frowned.

“There are cockroaches in the cafeteria? That’s unacceptable. I’ll order a full sanitation inspection….”

“No! I said it wrong! I didn’t mean there were bugs, I mean… um….”

Her careless excuse was about to get the cafeteria staff in trouble.

Just then—

“Hunter Do Jiwoo? Aren’t you going into the meeting room?”

Shin Ilguk appeared in the hallway.

Seeing the guild leader beyond the corner, his face brightened.

“Hyung, what are you doing here? Are you joining the meeting with us today?”

But the guild leader was cold.

“Shin Ilguk Hunter, where exactly is your ‘brother’ here?”

“Ah….”

“I’ve warned you several times to be careful with your words inside the guild. Do you think I’m not making sense?”

Shin Ilguk lowered his head.

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

“One time is a mistake. After that, it’s a wrongdoing. People who keep repeating mistakes are no longer needed in our guild. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

Guild leader Shin Woohyuk gave Jiwoo a glance and left the hallway.

The atmosphere between relatives was very awkward and one-sided.

Jiwoo looked around, flustered.

“Um, Ilguk….”

“Then shall we go in? Oh Nara Hunter will be late due to counseling.”

Shin Ilguk pointed at the meeting room door as if nothing had happened.

It was a silent request not to ask about what just happened.

*****

On the meeting room table, thick stacks of documents were piled like a mountain.

“Team leader, what is all this?”

“These are the dungeon data files for the dungeon we’re going to raid starting next week. It also includes predicted monster types and response strategy manuals by rank.”

“Whaaat?”

“From now on, Special Team 7 will carry out one dungeon raid every week without missing a single one.”

“WHAAAT?!”

That last scream was from Oh Nara.

She had just returned from counseling and was trembling.

“W-why suddenly? Our team used to go once a month at most!”

“We ranked first in the performance evaluation this time. We may not stay first next time, but at least we should stay in the rankings.”

Yu Jaegyeong was determined.

She used to have no ambition and stayed at the bottom, but not anymore.

She wanted to completely overturn the negative reputation surrounding Special Team 7.

“If we drop back to last place next evaluation, we’re basically losing to all the people who insulted us. I can’t stand that anymore.”

Yu Jaegyeong even grabbed Guild Leader Shin Woohyuk by the collar and demanded more work.

Shin Woohyuk, who had a weakness due to Jiwoo’s hidden abilities, had no choice but to comply.

“You won’t be getting small E-rank or F-rank dungeons anymore. You’ll be assigned major gates instead. If you don’t want to get lost in a dungeon, prepare all night.”

It was at least three days’ worth of material that Yu Jaegyeong had placed down.

The dungeon difficulty was C-rank. Oh Nara looked shocked at the documents.

“Team leader! Didn’t you bring the wrong papers? How are we supposed to handle a C-rank dungeon?!”

“Why can’t you? You just haven’t tried before. Our team is strong enough. If you just look at rank alone, it’s more than enough.”

“Even so, how are we supposed to….”

“Of course, Oh Nara Hunter is an exception. Since you’re still receiving psychological treatment, you may opt out if you want.”

“…….”

That part she didn’t like either. Oh Nara pouted.

‘If everyone goes, I can’t be the only one left out.’

Using trauma treatment as an excuse was also awkward.

Even her counselor had recommended entering dungeons again.

But Oh Nara was still afraid.

Monsters were scary, and she was worried she might hold the team back again.

But if she refused like this…

‘My place will keep shrinking.’

Before, she was the only healer in Special Team 7. Not anymore.

Oh Nara glanced at Jiwoo across from her.

Jiwoo, wearing round glasses, calmly scanned the document overview.

“Team leader, this gate isn’t that large. Is it a dungeon inside a building?”

“Correct. But the internal terrain will be quite complex, so Hunter Do Jiwoo’s search skill will be essential. Prepare in advance and request mana potion supplies from support.”

With Jiwoo, the all-purpose “X-Lalaemon,” the dungeon raid had become much easier.

Search skills for detection, light magic, and alarm sensing magic.

“Hahaha! I don’t know how we ever managed without Jiwoo. She’s really our lucky charm!”

Cha Taepyeong gave a thumbs-up.

Yu Jaegyeong and Shin Ilguk agreed enthusiastically.

“Right? Ever since Jiwoo joined, raids have become so much easier. That transformed A-rank dungeon last time—we barely survived thanks to her. Where was she all this time? Our lucky charm.”

“That’s correct. Hunter Jiwoo is truly indispensable, a treasure-like….”

“Hey, Ilguk, don’t make me embarrassed! Are you teasing me?”

“…the most reliable teammate in the world, someone you’d want to be stranded on a desert island with….”

“Stop! Stop!”

“The strongest healer in existence and the salt and light of Guild Gongbaek….”

“Aaaah! Stop it! Stop it!”

As Jiwoo covered her ears and shook her head wildly, laughter burst out everywhere.

It was a warm, friendly atmosphere—except for Oh Nara, who was biting her nails in the corner.

Oh Nara stared at Jiwoo.

‘I’m A-rank… and Jiwoo is just E-rank.’

…Shouldn’t I have been the one receiving those compliments?

Saving teammates in danger—that should’ve been my role.

She and Jiwoo were similar in age, voice, and speaking style.

And now, even appearance and style looked almost identical—like twins. All thanks to her long efforts watching Jiwoo.

Oh Nara bit her lip.

‘I can do it too. I should’ve stepped forward back then. Then maybe now….’

“Nara!”

“Y-yes?”

Startled, Oh Nara snapped back to reality.

Jiwoo had come closer and was holding her left hand worriedly.

“You’re bleeding! What should we do!”

She must have bitten her finger without noticing—there was a drop of blood at the tip of her finger.

“We need to put ointment on it. Was there a first-aid kit in the office?”

“Oh, it’s okay… it’ll heal on its own.”

“No, it can get worse. It’ll sting later and bother you for a long time. Wait a moment.”

Jiwoo quickly ran to the office and brought back a first-aid kit.

Then she carefully applied medicine to Oh Nara’s finger.

“You could use healing, but small wounds are better to heal naturally. It activates your immune system or something like that… done!”

She even carefully placed a bandage. It was a cute pink princess character bandage that Oh Nara liked.

“This character… the more I look at it, the more it looks like you, Nara. Shiny and pretty like that?”

“Uh… I’m not sure.”

A shadow fell on Oh Nara’s face. She stayed silent for a long time.

Jiwoo quietly spoke while tidying the first-aid kit.

“Um… Nara.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t worry too much about the dungeon.”

“Pardon?”

“It won’t be dangerous. Team leader Yu Jaegyeong and Hunter Cha Taepyeong both have a lot of experience, and honestly, that C-rank dungeon is basically like a D-rank one.”

Jiwoo thought Nara was just scared of the dungeon.

But the only person paying attention to her… was Jiwoo, who somehow made her even more uneasy.

A strange irritation rose inside her. Nara answered coldly.

“…So what?”

“Ah, well, um….”

Jiwoo blinked, surprised by the sudden cold tone.

“I want you to come into the dungeon with us too. Of course, I’m not forcing you… I just… like spending time with you, Nara.”

“…With me?”

“Yes. Actually… before joining the guild, I didn’t have any friends.”

Jiwoo smiled softly, eyes curving downward.

Of course, Jiwoo had once had people she got along with. Friends at school, friends in games—she used to be surrounded by people.

But after her parents passed away and life became harder, she naturally lost contact with everyone.

“But lately, time goes by really fast when I’m with you, Nara. Eating together is nice, watching movies is fun, even shopping is fun!”

“Ah….”

Oh Nara lowered her head without answering.

While tidying the kit, Jiwoo continued.

“So maybe that’s why… even scary dungeons feel like they wouldn’t be scary if I go with you. It would feel like going on an adventure with a close friend. …Ah, is it okay if I call you a friend? Hehe.”

Her voice was extremely kind. It melted the cold building inside Oh Nara’s heart in an instant.

‘Friend….’

Oh Nara rubbed the character bandage with her fingernail.

The wrinkled adhesive felt strangely irritating.

And so, about a month after the “performance-building project” began.

Special Team 7 had cleared one C-rank dungeon and two D-rank dungeons.

The difficulty had gone up, but there was almost no danger.

Team leader Yu Jaegyeong and B-rank tank Cha Taepyeong handled most of it cleanly.

Jiwoo also ran around the dungeon and used S-rank buffs everywhere.

Cha Taepyeong thought her power came from her expensive staff.

For Jiwoo, who wanted to hide her identity, that was a relief.

After an all-nighter, morning came again.