Chapter 155 – Group Blind Date

Six male students were smoking cigarettes in front of Exit 5 of Hapjeong Station.

They were medical students who had agreed to go on a group blind date today.

“Hey, how much time is left until the appointment?”

“Five minutes left.”

“But none of the girls have arrived yet?”

“Ha, we came 20 minutes early and are waiting like this, but they still haven’t shown up?”

“I just don’t understand why girls always show up late.”

“Hey, what does it matter if they’re a little late? As long as they’re pretty, that’s all that matters.”

“Hehe, agreed, agreed.”

“The girls coming today are from Korea University, right?”

“Their specs are pretty good.”

“I just hope their faces are as good as their specs.”

The medical students all hoped that pretty female college students would show up.

“If a pretty girl appears, I don’t care if she’s my friend or whatever. Whoever claims her first gets her.”

“Of course. The world of competition is cold.”

“Stop it. The prettiest girl will probably be Ji-heon’s anyway.”

“That’s right. Ji-heon is the most handsome among us.”

In response to his friends’ compliments, Nam Ji-heon neither acted shy nor humble.

Instead, he acknowledged his handsome face and patted his friends’ shoulders.

“You guys can be like me too if you’re reborn.”

“Ugh, hearing it directly from you makes me feel so inadequate.”

“Don’t show off in front of the girls. It’s really annoying.”

“Are you crazy? Would I let a fish I’ve almost caught go without even tasting it?”

“Oh, that’s a good analogy! Ji-heon the fisherman. Hahaha.”

“Don’t call me a fisherman, call me a fish farm manager. Hehehe.”

“Fish farm manager Nam Ji-heon! Please leave some for us too. Don’t hog them all.”

“What am I, King Uija? Going around seducing every woman I see?”

“That’s exactly what you are, man! You’re nice to every woman.”

“I just don’t turn away any woman who comes to me.”

“That’s why I’m saying don’t give false hope to other women and just focus on one. The other girls won’t even look at us.”

“Alright. Today I won’t flirt around and will only target one woman. The prettiest one. You guys can handle the rest.”

“You really mean that?”

“Yeah. But if I help you get to a motel, you have to treat me, okay?”

The friends giggled, blowing cigarette smoke and hoping for good results today.

A moment later, with just one minute left until the appointment time, the women arrived.

“Ah, hello.”

“Haha, hello.”

The medical students looked over the shyly greeting women, and while they were smiling on the outside, they couldn’t hide their disappointment inside.

‘Their faces aren’t that great…’

They were all just average-looking, with no exceptionally beautiful women among them.

“Is everyone here? Oh, it seems one woman is missing?”

“Ah, she said she’d be a little late and told us to go ahead.”

“Is that so? Then shall we go ahead first?”

As they moved to the reserved bar, the medical students engaged in conversation with the women, already starting to make their moves.

‘Even though their faces aren’t great, they’re not bad for having fun today. Hehe.’

Perhaps because they were all average, their expectations had lowered?

No one was expecting the woman who was said to be coming late.

They were just trying to find their match among the women who were already there.

Ding-

The eleven people who had found the fusion restaurant began taking turns introducing themselves.

Then, the one who was said to be coming late appeared.

“I’m sorry. I’m a bit late.”

The woman who appeared in a lovely outfit with a knee-length skirt and heels was none other than Shin Hye-ri.

She was Shin Kyung-min’s younger sister.

Gulp-

All the medical students swallowed when they saw Shin Hye-ri.

‘Wow, f*ck. Look at that face.’

‘She’s so damn pretty.’

‘The main dish was separate.’

The medical students couldn’t take their eyes off Shin Hye-ri.

Part of it was because she had arrived late and drawn attention, but above all, her overwhelming visuals played a big role.

“What’s your name?”

“Shin Hye-ri.”

“How old are you?”

“21 years old.”

“Come on, don’t answer so briefly. Tell us more about yourself. Everyone else introduced themselves for at least a minute.”

“I’ll take my time.”

Even her refusal seemed charming, as the men just grinned foolishly.

As Shin Hye-ri received all the attention from the men, the other women, who had unintentionally become mere extras, stiffened their expressions.

At that moment, when Nam Ji-heon, known as the king among the medical students, stepped forward, the women’s expressions hardened even more.

“Hye-ri, do you like drinking?”

“I can’t drink well, but I like it.”

She’s weak with alcohol but likes it?

‘That’s perfect!’

Nam Ji-heon, who almost blurted out an exclamation, gave a killer smile.

“Then would you like to go for a drink with me separately?”

“I haven’t even eaten yet, what drink are you talking about?”

“We can fill our stomachs with alcohol.”

“No thanks.”

“Ah, I understand. Let’s eat first. What would you like to eat? Just tell me.”

As Nam Ji-heon made his aggressive advances, the other medical students could only lick their lips.

They didn’t have the confidence to compete with Nam Ji-heon, who was not only handsome but also well-built.

The same was true for the women.

After all, Shin Hye-ri boasted an overwhelming appearance that made the other women look like small octopuses in comparison.

‘One couple has already formed…’

‘They’ll obviously end up together.’

However, Shin Hye-ri herself had no interest in Nam Ji-heon.

‘Why does he keep coming on to me? It’s annoying.’

Although the man currently approaching her was the most handsome among the gathered men, that was all.

For her, who didn’t care about appearances, it was just annoying.

Her ideal type was only a strong man who could protect her.

‘Has he worked out? His physique is sturdy.’

But Nam Ji-heon wasn’t her type.

He lacked the most important feeling.

The firm feeling that he could protect her.

‘I don’t like anyone who isn’t as strong as my brother.’

Shin Hye-ri’s older brother was none other than Shin Kyung-min.

He was the strongest man in the country, ranked 1st among hunters, but it was hard to see his face.

‘I barely see him once a month.’

The reason was simple.

Because his sister might be in danger due to him being ranked 1st.

For that one reason, Shin Hye-ri had to live forcibly separated from her older brother.

Despite being her only family, she had few opportunities to meet him.

‘Maybe that’s why I’m looking for a strong man even more.’

Perhaps she was looking outward to find someone who could always protect her by her side, someone to fill the void left by her brother.

‘Anyway, it’s not this guy.’

Shin Hye-ri secretly shook her head as she looked at Nam Ji-heon, who thought he was cool.

She looked at the other men too, but none of them were her ideal type.

‘Another waste of time.’

Contrary to her thoughts of quickly leaving and drinking beer alone at home, Nam Ji-heon was thinking of going for a second round with Shin Hye-ri.

And even beyond that.

‘I’m going to a motel with her today.’

Nam Ji-heon, who had taken a liking to Shin Hye-ri, actively engaged her in conversation, but she responded with short answers as if annoyed. Still, Nam Ji-heon didn’t give up, and even as the first round was ending and it was time for some to part ways, he didn’t let her go until the end.

“Come on, let’s go for a second round, Hye-ri.”

“No thanks. I have something to do at home, so I need to go.”

“Ah, then I’ll walk you home. Where do you live?”

“I’m not a child, why would you walk me home? I’ll go alone.”

Despite her continued refusals, Nam Ji-heon persistently clung to her with a smile.

As a result, they barely managed to find a compromise.

“Alright. Just to the station.”

“Yes! Thank you. I’ll escort you safely to the station.”

With those words, Nam Ji-heon waved to his friends and disappeared with Shin Hye-ri.

‘They’re going for a second round.’

‘I’m jealous.’

The remaining people turned away with expressions that seemed to say “of course” and hid their disappointment.

* * *

Thump thump-

Nam Ji-heon tried to engage Shin Hye-ri in various conversations as they walked.

“Isn’t the weather cold these days?”

“I think it’s fine.”

“What do you usually do when you get home?”

“Sleep.”

“Since you attend Korea University, you must be good at studying, right?”

“You’re asking the obvious.”

“Haha… Why are you so prickly towards me?”

“Do you really not know?”

Nam Ji-heon knew.

That she had no interest in him.

That’s why he didn’t ask for the reason.

He didn’t want to hear it from her lips either.

‘Ah, what a difficult personality.’

For someone like him, who had never found it difficult to seduce women, this was like hitting a wall.

Perhaps that’s why he wanted to overcome this obstacle and conquer her even more.

‘I’ll make her fall for me somehow.’

Determined to reach a motel no matter what, Nam Ji-heon led her into an alley.

“Where are you going?”

“Ah, it’s faster this way.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Would I lie to you?”

“I don’t know about that.”

He almost failed to maintain his composure for a moment, but Nam Ji-heon patiently persuaded her.

“It’s true. This way is closer, I’m telling you.”

“……”

Shin Hye-ri, who had been looking at him suspiciously, followed Nam Ji-heon, thinking he wouldn’t dare do anything strange.

Even if he tried something weird, she was confident she could resist strongly.

Of course, Nam Ji-heon had no intention of assaulting her.

Not in his right mind.

‘I’ll guide her to a bar like this and persuade her to have just one drink. She said she’s weak with alcohol, so if I can make her drink somehow, then…’

He planned to take her to a motel once she was drunk.

Regardless of her wishes.

‘I’ll make her drink until she’s completely wasted. Hehe.’

With such thoughts, he was walking when he heard footsteps from behind.

When he turned his head, he saw a man wearing a hat and mask following them.

‘What? Who is that? Is he following us?’

It was very suspicious, but Nam Ji-heon wasn’t scared.

Partly because of his muscles trained through weightlifting, but mostly because he couldn’t show a pathetic side with a woman next to him.

“Hye-ri, let’s wait here for a moment.”

Nam Ji-heon stopped with Shin Hye-ri.

He wanted to let the man following them pass first.

‘If he’s not following us, he’ll pass by.’

The suspicious man, surprisingly, walked straight ahead as if he had no interest in them.

Just as they were about to pass each other.

Whoosh-

The suspicious man suddenly grabbed Shin Hye-ri’s wrist.

“Ah!”

Shin Hye-ri, who was pulled in an instant, lost her balance and fell to the ground, causing Nam Ji-heon to shout in surprise.

“Hye-ri! Kuheck!”

Nam Ji-heon clutched his throat and collapsed.

Thud-

The assailant was now holding a dagger.

After stabbing Nam Ji-heon again to confirm the kill as he spurted blood, the assailant looked at Shin Hye-ri.

Tremble tremble-

Too shocked to speak, Shin Hye-ri couldn’t say anything.

She couldn’t even scream for help.

She couldn’t move a finger even as the assailant approached with the dagger.

Fear had paralyzed her reason.

“It’s a shame to kill someone with such a beautiful face.”

The assailant said something, but she couldn’t hear properly.

Only the dagger, which he was playing with like a toy, caught her eye.

“I’m sorry, but it’s an order.”

With those final words, the assailant thrust the dagger.

He stabbed at a distance and speed that was impossible to avoid.

She thought she was definitely going to die.

That’s when it happened.

Ting-

The dagger was blocked by something and bounced back.

The assailant stepped back in surprise.

“Are you okay?”

At the voice of a third person, Shin Hye-ri opened her eyes.

In front of her was a man holding a blue sword.

It was none other than Min Do-jun, wielding the ghost sword.