Revenge Accomplished!
Dressed in the makeshift clothes Seolhwa had tailored for me, I marched with confident strides right back to yesterday’s F-Class Gate. The staff member we had encountered yesterday was still hopelessly ensnared by my charm, doing little more than beaming warmly in our direction.
“Seolhwa, are you sure you can enter the Gate with me?”
“Yes. Now that my soul imprint is reconnected with yours, Hoju-nim, there will be no issue. To put it simply… you could consider me akin to your ‘summon.’”
“I-I see. Then let’s go!”
Entering the Primeval Forest of Quickening: Goblin Sector.
The moment I took a step into the Gate’s portal, space rippled around me and my stomach churned. When my vision cleared, the surrounding scenery was the very same dense forest I had seen yesterday.
“…So this is the interior of a Gate.”
“Yeah. Completely different from outside, right?”
“……”
For some reason, Seolhwa stood staring blankly at her surroundings. Was she fascinated because it was her first time stepping inside a Gate?
“…Seolhwa?”
“Ah, yes. Forgive me, Hoju-nim.”
“Huh? Is something wrong?”
“…It is nothing. It may merely be my imagination playing tricks on me, so please pay it no mind.”
She had spaced out for a second, but if she said it was fine, it was probably fine.
“All right. Anyway, this is an F-Class Gate, so only goblins spawn here!”
“Understood. Conveniently, it appears one over there has already noticed us.”
As she spoke, Seolhwa made a subtle motion toward her hip, as if drawing a concealed blade. In a flash of brilliant gold, a pristine white straw rope materialized in her hand.
“Seolhwa, what’s that…?”
“This is Bongmageum, the sacred warding cord that once maintained the barrier of your dwelling, the Nine-Tailed Divine Palace. It readily adapts its form when infused with Yokai Power, so I employ it as a weapon.”
“I-I see…”
So that’s what it looks like. At a glance, it resembled a thick, woven cord, but a subtle hum of spiritual energy radiated from it. Trimming my clothes earlier and prepping the cooking ingredients had all been done with that. Still, since I had come here specifically to test my own skills, I couldn't rely on Seolhwa's help. Today's rematch was a matter of pride.
“Seolhwa, only step in if it looks like I’m in real danger. I want to try handling this on my own first!”
Seolhwa softened the chilling glare she had directed at the approaching goblin and turned back to me.
“Will you truly be all right? In your current state, Hoju-nim, you are considerably weakened…”
“I’ll be fine. Besides, if things get dangerous, you’ll protect me, won’t you?”
“Of course. I shall abide by your wishes, Hoju-nim. Moreover…” Seolhwa paused briefly before continuing, “it would indeed be of greater benefit to your growth. To regain your original power, your body, mind, and combat experience must all develop in tandem.”
“Right!”
It had only been a few hours since I met Seolhwa. Technically, we were practically strangers and it ought to feel awkward, but being beside her felt completely natural and comfortable. Trust. I felt as though I could trust her with my back at any time—a strangely reassuring, dependable feeling.
Kieeeek!
Whether it was because Seolhwa was standing by my side or because I had evolved into a Two-Tailed Fox, the goblin charging toward me wasn’t scary at all anymore.
You’re the bastard from yesterday, aren’t you?
All goblins looked identical, so there was no real way to tell, but its thoroughly obnoxious mug gave off the exact same vibe as yesterday’s culprit. Not that it mattered either way. A creature like this was child’s play for me now!
“Charm!”
Ziiing—
The goblin’s eyes flashed crimson. At that very instant, it froze in its tracks and dropped its crudely fashioned weapon to the ground. Inside its murky purple pupils, tiny pink hearts flickered into view.
“I-It worked, Seolhwa!”
“Congratulations, Hoju-nim.”
It was night and day compared to yesterday. Fully subdued by Charm, the goblin didn’t let out any foul screeches or twitch spasmodically; it simply stood there in a daze. Beside me, Seolhwa wore a proud, satisfied smile.
Hehehe, you see that? Goblins aren’t even a match for me anymore!
Just as I thought, the real issue yesterday was barking out an absurd order like “rip yourself in half!”
“Would you care to conjure your Foxfire this time, Hoju-nim?”
“Yes!”
I channeled my yokai power into my palm, focusing on heating the spiritual energy until it blossomed into flame… Just like this!
“Foxfire!”
Poof.
A vivid blue flame bloomed atop my petite palm. A spherical wisp of fire flickered and danced in an almost adorable fashion.
“Ooh!”
My hand didn’t feel hot at all. In that case, how would it feel to that guy over there? I shifted my gaze forward. The goblin was still standing in the exact same spot, completely dazed. Winding my arm back, I hurled the flame straight at the monster!
“Take this!”
Fwoosh—
The tiny blue fireball traced a graceful arc through the air, and the moment it made contact with the goblin—
Boom!
It detonated, billowing outward in an instant.
“Whoa.”
What had been no larger than my palm was suddenly a roaring inferno, more than large enough to swallow the goblin whole. Yet the monster didn’t let out a single shriek, even as the flames engulfed its body and melted its flesh away.
“Ugh, gross.”
Watching skin melt and bones crumble was utterly grotesque—highly detrimental to one’s mental health. If this were a movie, it would easily earn a mature rating. After a brief wait, the goblin scattered into ash on the wind, leaving behind a tiny F-Class magic stone lying on the ground.
Mhehehe, today’s experiment is an unqualified success! Charm was vastly stronger now, and the destructive potency of my new skill, Foxfire, was thoroughly proven. Now I could finally pull my own weight as a real hunter!
“Hoju-nim, a pack of goblins is approaching our vicinity. Six in total.”
“Ehh? That many all of a sudden?”
“It seems they were drawn by the aftermath of the recent combat. How would you like to proceed?”
I pondered for a moment. Conducting a few more tests wouldn’t hurt, but… I was just too curious to resist.
“Seolhwa, could you show me how you fight with that?”
“As you wish, Hoju-nim.”
I was dying to see what that cord of hers could do, not to mention Seolhwa’s true combat prowess! With my heart fluttering in anticipation, I eagerly awaited the pack’s arrival.
Shortly after, guttural shrieks echoed through the trees.
Gweeeek!
Kieeeek!
Groo-aaargh!
No sooner had their mottled green skin emerged from the underbrush than—
Whoosh!
Seolhwa sprang forward at a speed almost impossible for the naked eye to track. And then…
Guh-eek!
Kehhk!
Ack!
…Wait, what? It was over in the blink of an eye. I hadn’t even seen what happened.
Vanishing from sight in a fraction of a second, Seolhwa had plunged straight into the midst of the goblin pack, whipping the Bongmageum about in a merciless slaughter. The ones whose heads were neatly severed from their bodies—turning them into literal “gob/lins”—could honestly be considered lucky. The others had been diced into neat little cubes like radish kimchi, their bodies hacked to pieces…
The Bongmageum in Seolhwa’s grasp was no longer the thick straw rope it had been when summoned. Spun thin as fishing monofilament, it nonetheless struck with the crushing heft of iron chains, carving the goblins into ribbons.
Having eliminated the monsters in the span of a single breath, Seolhwa returned to my side, her tailored suit as immaculate and dust-free as when we had first set out.
“A-Awesome…”
“You flatter me, Hoju-nim. However, as I too am in a weakened state, I was unable to display even five percent of my true capabilities.”
“Huh? You’re weakened too? This is weakened?”
“Yes. We direct retainers are bound directly to your yokai power. With you unable to manifest your true might, Hoju-nim, we are inevitably weakened in turn.”
“Then if I get stronger, you get stronger too?”
“Precisely.”
Wait, what… Doesn’t that mean I’ll never catch up to her? And I’m supposed to be the master here…
As if reading my mind, a gentle smile graced Seolhwa’s lips.
“Do not fret, Hoju-nim. While our growth has its limits, yours is boundless.”
“Ack… Seolhwa, can you read minds too?”
“When it pertains to you, Hoju-nim, there is nothing I do not know.”
Yep, Seolhwa really is… a terrifying yokai.
Emerging from the Gate, we got back into the car and set off for the department store. The time was just shy of ten in the morning. Clutched in my palm were seven F-Class magic stones harvested from the slain goblins.
“Hm-hmm-hmmm~”
A hum escaped my lips without my even realizing it.
“Are you pleased, Hoju-nim?”
“Yup. Tee-hee.”
It was bottom-tier loot, but profoundly satisfying all the same. It felt like earning my own honest pay through my own hard labor! Is this why people ditch salaryman life to become self-employed? Granted, I had only hunted one of them, and Seolhwa took down the other six.
“Once you establish your new identity and complete your hunter registration, you will be able to utilize the Hunter Exchange yourself.”
Huh? Couldn’t anyone use the exchange, awakened or civilian?
“Wait, you can’t use the exchange without hunter registration?”
“Indeed; it seems you were unaware. Two months ago, the exchange regulations were revised. Only members officially registered with the Hunter Association may utilize the facilities after real-name authentication via their Hunter License.”
“Gasp.”
I had no idea. Well, two months ago I was just an ordinary civilian… I was seriously lucky to have Seolhwa with me.
Grumble—
Right on cue, my stomach let out a resounding rumble that echoed through the quiet cabin.
“You must be hungry, Hoju-nim. We are nearly there. The dining floor of our destination houses some of the finest restaurants in the nation. Shall we dine first before shopping?”
Hmm… I was hungry, but it was barely past ten in the morning. And while the clothes Seolhwa had altered were wearable, they were still somewhat uncomfortable.
“I’d rather get some clothes first.”
“As you wish, Hoju-nim.”
About twenty minutes after departing the Gate in Seolhwa’s car, we pulled up to a massive department store in Yeouido.
The Seoul Department Store. An opulent playground for the ultra-wealthy that I had assumed I would never have any business visiting in my entire lifetime.
As we drew near the parking garage, Seolhwa reminded me of the act we had coordinated during the ride.
“Hoju-nim, as discussed, please treat me as your mother before others.”
“R-Right, got it… But do you really think that’ll fly?”
“Without question. As we belong to the same kin, our physical appearances are remarkably similar.”
Mother and daughter with Seolhwa… With both of us sporting matching silver hair and crimson eyes, honestly, not a soul in the world would doubt we were blood-related.
Reaching the parking entrance, a valet attendant stepped up to the vehicle. Seolhwa pulled a sleek black card from her wallet, flashed it discreetly through the window, and unbuckled her seatbelt.
“Hoju-nim, let us step out and proceed to the first-floor lobby.”
“Eh? What about parking?”
“The attendant will see to it. Valet parking is among the perks afforded to VVIPs of this establishment.”
“Whoaaa…”
I had my suspicions, but Seolhwa truly was that mythical creature I had only ever heard rumors of: a department store VVIP. She had access to the elite, red-carpet treatment typically reserved for mega-wealthy chaebols and top-tier celebrities.
Seolhwa exited the driver’s seat, walked around to the passenger side, and held the door open for me.
“Now then, shall we?”
“Yes!”