Absolmi's Sibling Appears!
"Is that mine...?"
"Yeah. Shiro's done so much for us. The Association acknowledged our share and handed it over."
"Oh...."
Listening closely, it started as a grade 3 gate, but after going through several trap gates, it ended up at grade 4 level. And? I froze them coolly in there too? Su-yeon unnie, Yong-hun uncle, and Do-hun managed to hold it off without much damage, and that got recognized.
"Jong-woo uncle said he'd keep it safe at the Association building, so let's head home now."
"Okaay...."
I'm tired. No, honestly, exhausted. Feels like I've used up every last bit of stamina I had.
Grandpa patted my back like he was telling me to catch some shut-eye. I don't usually sleep from stuff like this... I should say bye to the team members.... It's all because of the Innocence skill.... Zzz.
"Gasp!"
Not an unfamiliar ceiling... but Grandpa's familiar master bedroom. I must've dozed off for a bit, and now I'm snugly tucked in bed.
Who changed my clothes?
Eh, whatever... it's probably Grandpa or Se-eun unnie, doesn't matter. The reason I can't bathe with Se-eun unnie is my own inner issue....
"Hng...."
Where's Absolmi, though? Absolmi's always by my side except when I'm bathing. Like he has to guard me constantly. I like animals anyway, and he's so cute, so I let him stick close.
Where the heck is he?
Rubbing my eyes, I shuffled out to the living room.
"Shiro, you're up?"
"Yup, it's Shiro!"
Peeking at the living room window, it looked like night now. The practical started in the morning, so of course it's night by now.
I was wondering where Absolmi was—and there he was, playing with Se-eun unnie in the living room. No idea why she's teaching a magpie dog tricks, but Absolmi's smart and nailing them all.
"I'm hungryyy...."
—Kyaa-ak!
Holding my growling tummy, I whined. Then Absolmi flapped over, grabbed the burger bag on the table with his beak, and brought it to me.
What a smart bird. This bird is a good bird.
"Whoa, a burger!"
"Dad—er, Grandpa bought it for you to eat~ Say thanks and dig in."
"Thank you, Grandpa!"
"Aigoo~ No need."
I bowed toward where Grandpa was, a proper belly-bow greeting. But I gotta get used to this speech pattern soon. Keeps ending weirdly with that 'yo' vibe. Can't control it myself, so I'll adapt. Time to be a proper lady from now on, Han Gyeol-wol. Nah, Shiro now.
The burger Grandpa got was bulgogi. Honestly, one burger never fills me up, but will it be okay?
"So... full...."
Yeah, my body's small for sure. One little burger and a cola, and my belly's about to burst.
I wriggled onto the sofa, plopped Absolmi on my tummy, and basically reclined.
"Gonna sleep again? Bathe first, Shiro."
"Hng... I know. I'll bathe and sleep."
Se-eun unnie poked my puffed-up belly teasingly, joking around. Gotta bathe... obviously... but why am I so sleepy.... Still, I had something to ask, so I fought back the drowsiness and turned to Grandpa.
"Um, Grandpa. What did you mean about the snow and mana stone being for me?"
That came out super natural. I'll just talk like this from now on.
"Hoho, that piqued your interest? Nothing big. You remember Jong-woo uncle explaining your skills? The one that makes familiars."
"Oh! Good snow and mana stones make good friends, right?"
"Exactly, you remember well. Such a smart cookie. So Jong-woo uncle heard about the site, gathered the mana stone and leftover snow, and decided to give it to you. You can make a super strong friend that way."
"Gasp!"
That one came out weird again. But I couldn't help it—I was shocked. They gave me an amazing reward.
I hadn't boosted Absolmi much or made other strong friends to manage my mana.... But the snow from the gate was top quality, and the remnants were mana-affine, so the new friend's upkeep would use way less mana. That's what they said.
"Whoa! Can we go right now?"
"It's late, might be tough. How about first thing tomorrow?"
"Ah... sure, that's fine."
No whining. I'm not really nine.... Though I could throw a tantrum sometimes, I wanna keep the mature kid vibe.
—Kya, kyaaak!
Absolmi in my arms listened quietly, then kicked his legs around. He seemed unhappy about a new snow friend besides him.
"Jealous?"
—Kyaaak! Kyaaaak!
"Ah... can we just merge it all into Absolmi to boost him?"
—Kyaak! Kyaak!
Looks like Absolmi wants all my attention to himself. Kinda like the eldest son getting sibling jealousy? Not a bad thing, honestly. I wanna meet new friends, but boosting Absolmi's great too. He's smart... and fights well.
Wonder if that's okay—I'll ask Jong-woo uncle.
"Making a new friend would be best, Miss Shiro."
—Kya, kyaaak?!
Thud—
Absolmi hopped down in shock, then flopped dramatically like a tragic heroine. Where'd he learn that?
Right when we entered Jong-woo uncle's office at the top of the Association building, I asked—and he answered like he'd prepared it.
"Why? Wouldn't Absolmi getting super strong be great?"
"It would. Of course. But... do you know why you got the Wild Card position, Miss Shiro?"
"Uh...? 'Cause I'm the strongest...?"
Jong-woo uncle shook his head lightly. I thought it was 'cause I'm super OP... secret weapon! Genius hunter hiding power!
"You have the potential to solo raids alone. Imagine: familiars handling every position without needing other hunters' cooperation."
"Ooh...!"
Aha. So not my direct strength, but seeing my potential to become a one-woman army later. But how's that related to not boosting Absolmi?
"That's why it's better to make friends early and grow them gradually together, rather than pumping Absolmi solo. They gain experience together too."
"Hmm~!"
Matching teamwork from the start makes sense. And Absolmi's already strong. Multiple friends would handle surprises better.
Honestly, either way's fine for me, so better follow uncle's advice. Absolmi sulked a bit, reading my mind. But I'm the master?
"...That said, do you want to keep hunter-ing, Miss Shiro? Maybe wait till you're bigger?"
Jong-woo uncle knelt to meet my eyes while explaining. Yong-su grandpa just watched, agreeing silently.
Uncle's hand rested on my head, warm and gentle.
I did worry. That last incident was shocking. Grandpa, Se-eun unnie, and the other hunters arrived in time to avoid disaster... but it was dangerous. I even had nightmares.
But....
"Hmm...."
I peeked at uncle and grandpa. They had that 'hope you're scared off hunting' look. Normal, right? No sane person pushes a nine-year-old girl into hunting. Grandpa probably took it lightly before, but now realizes the risk.
Still....
"Still... I wanna do it...."
I've only hunted once, but I don't wanna quit. Super dangerous, yeah—but that's why I crave more. I know my powers are kinda strong. Not overconfident... uncle almost gave me A-rank but settled on B. Froze that giant Power Bomber Red combo mecha in seconds.
"I think it's a bit dangerous, Miss Shiro...."
"I can do it...! Didn't get hurt at all!"
"Shiro...."
Grandpa called my name in a misty voice. Not blood-related, but it had this irresistible pull. Bonding this fast must be Innocence. Not bad—made my chest tight warmly.
"Then... how about I make a friend first, and you decide after?"
That's my pitch. Use the mana stone and snow here to make the next friend, then judge. A reliable one might change their minds.
Jong-woo uncle pondered, then nodded.
"Alright. Shall we try?"
"Hng... yeah."
"Let's go. Take good care of Absolmi too."
Absolmi was still flopped on the floor. Why you too?
"Hnnng...!"
I'm tense. This decides when my hunter life starts!
The Association warehouse had snow from the gate piled high. In the center: the gate boss, Red's core.
My mana churned excitedly at the sight, like it wanted to claim it now.
"I-I'm doing it now!"
"Great, Miss Shiro. Show us!"
"Hiyaap!"
Mana spread out slowly. Mana stones floated up in response, and the piled snow swirled around.
The most intense reaction ever from Snow Friends. A blizzard tornado—internet calls it tornado—shot up.
My hair whipped wildly, vision blurred, then a grand, brilliant light gathered the blizzard around the mana stone.
Reliable feel, Vanguard... like Yong-su grandpa...!
A massive mana wave shook the building. Through the white mist, a shadow emerged.
Rubbing my eyes, I stared at the new friend.
White fur gleaming blue. Body size matching Yong-su grandpa's. Huge front paws.
A perfect... Polar Bear Summon stood there.
—Grrroo?
—Kya, kyakya...!
Ice shields on its front paws like a Vanguard. Blue feather crest on its head like Lu Bu's phoenix helm from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, trailing long. Plus a fluttering blue feather mantle on its back.
A polar bear that's this cool-looking? Absolmi flew around warily, threatened by the rival. The bear scratched its cheek dumbly.
"...D-Did it... work?"
Stammering, hand over my trembling lips, I turned to uncle and grandpa.
Hunter... approved?