Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Big Pout Mode
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After the press conference, Korea was in an uproar.
Government declaration of active gate intervention—fears that it might spark war with the guilds.
Expectations that the chaotic hunter behavior would finally be reined in.
Real-world communities were split down the middle, but more people seemed hopeful about the government.
Tower Gallery was mostly filled with government bashing.
Occasional pro-government posts popped up, but they got shot down fast by the angry mob.
Amid all the chaos in Korea, I—as the face of the association and Seoul's savior—made my first official appearance by revealing my name.
"Shit... why is this so heavy...?"
I was hauling moving boxes and a pile of packages stacked up in front of the door.
Whatever they fight over, it's not like I can do anything about it. New house means unpack first.
Bank account overflowing, so I'd ordered top-tier PC parts to assemble a rig—and splurged on all sorts of stuff I'd been eyeing. Delivery boxes towered in front of the house daily.
If all towers were like this, I'd climb them a hundred times over. Heh heh.
"Urgh...!"
But life doesn't always go as planned.
For example, this prefab slide.
No, it wasn't because I'd turned into a kid—it was purely because I wanted to ride it—
There's a pool in the yard, so I figured install it there for a waterslide vibe and dive right in!
Anyway. Could've bought a pre-assembled one or called installers, but my inner self wouldn't allow it. That was the start of this disaster.
Assembling and installing it myself? Piece of cake!
Yeah, no. With these scrawny limbs, it was impossible.
For starters, it was ridiculously heavy—I couldn't even lift it.
The assembly bolts had weird threads; I grunted away with the screwdriver, but they wouldn't budge.
Dali lounged belly-up on the pool edge, watching smugly. Finally, I chucked the screwdriver and headed inside.
'Dali, you're not riding this.'
Slide project: retreat for now.
Next, I unpacked the PC parts stacked in the living room one by one. No compromises this time—just pure performance picks. A smile crept back onto my face.
Of course, assembling the PC wasn't a walk in the park either.
But failing at this? Pride wouldn't let me. Under the AC, sweating buckets, I finally pieced it together.
"Phew, heh heh... this is... human triumph?"
After three grueling hours, I proudly admired my hard-won victory.
Now just hoist it up—
"Hngh!"
"Urk!"
...
Can't... lift it?
I stared blankly at the PC case that wouldn't rise even 3cm off the floor, then slumped down.
My strength is only this much?
I could accept the slide's size, but this? Deep scratch to my ego.
Maybe worse than that '4' stamped on my ID?
Shoving it under the desk felt wrong—especially with the LED full-glass case I'd splurged on.
And the spot under the desk built for a PC tower? Way too cramped. Moving it there wouldn't be easy either.
I took a break, scarfing ice cream from the freezer to mend my spirit, then plopped on the sofa, eyeing the table deep in thought.
"Hmm... my connections are pretty thin."
Old acquaintances from my male Iroha days? Pass.
I spread out the three business cards from people I'd met post-transformation, pondering who to call.
'Minister Jin Tae-san? Nah, he'd just nag about association chair stuff again.'
Plus, after seeing me at the conference, who knows what crafty schemes lurked in that old man's head. Scary.
'Cheon I-ryeong... needs rest first.'
I'd healed her wounds, but not the shock or blood loss from the injury.
And she's a woman too... not fully trustworthy there.
'...Lee Jae-hoon.'
Most reliable and least hassle: Lee Jae-hoon.
Feel bad using another guild's precious chief secretary for this, but worth a shot.
Anyway, needed to meet him to report joining the association. Felt guilty toward Cheon I-ryeong, so better schedule properly through him?
"Hello, it's Iroha. If you're free, could you help me out?"
"You're awake, Guild Master?"
"...Where am I?! The g-gate?"
"Gate's cleared, no worries. Don't get up—check yourself first."
"How...?"
Cheon I-ryeong jolted upright in the guild infirmary, staring at the white ceiling in shock.
Lee Jae-hoon, flipping through reports beside her, calmly soothed the startled guild master.
'How in the world...? That thing showed no signs of falling.'
She recalled the moments before blacking out.
Not enough hunters to contain the rampaging beast—suppression had been a constant retreat.
Even with time crunch, should've gathered more A-rankers first. Regret gnawed at her.
If Abyss hadn't dragged their feet... Anyway, once the raid started, she'd given it her all.
But the horns sprouting from its shoulders reduced magic damage, nullifying her spells despite ignoring obstacles.
Day two: hunters utterly exhausted.
Realizing it'd end in pointless deaths, she'd overexerted for a big spell. It only scratched its chest lightly; the beast was fine.
Price: direct hit from its swinging arm, lights out.
Briefly came to—saw a welcome face that felt like a dream. Why here? Get out!—then out again.
Now this.
"How'd you pull off that spell in that state? Reckless genius?"
"?"
"Good thing Iroha healed you right there. That wound plus casting? Disaster."
"?"
I did what...?
Blackout meant zero recall.
"That last spell—new skill? Felt like compressed Hellfire, your specialty. One-shot drop."
"?"
Clueless on Lee Jae-hoon's words. What happened while out?
"Where's Iroha?! Safe? Other hunters—"
"All good. She checked everyone post-raid; they're up and about. Worry about yourself."
"Ah... relief."
Whatever went down, not bad.
Especially if Iroha—who rushed to save her—had gotten hurt. Guilt would've been unbearable.
How to repay this?
Leaning against the bed headboard, pondering gratitude, Lee Jae-hoon handed over a report.
"Gate raid loot. S-grade item 'Orb' and S-grade special material from the beast's shoulder horn: allocated to Iroha. Others agree—no her, total wipe."
"Wh—"
"Assumed you'd agree, so proceeded. Need tweaks? We can discuss."
"No, I agree. Totally—but—"
Obviously, spoils to Iroha. She'd hand over everything gladly, just thanks.
Felt sidelined a bit, though.
But strict-on-procedure Lee Jae-hoon skipping steps? Shocking.
Why's the chief secretary so proactive now?
From near-healer-hater to... this? Total change.
Back to reports post-talk: usual him, but...
"Ah, hello? Iroha? Yes."
Iroha...?
"Haha, anytime works."
Schedule-Nazi says anytime? Laughing on call?
"Yes, heading over. Text address. Sure."
Ad... dress?
Mental whiplash piling up, Cheon I-ryeong dazed as Lee Jae-hoon packed reports, donned coat, ready to leave.
"Wh-where you going...? Chief?"
"Iroha needs help. Be back soon—rest up, Guild Master."
"Uh... okay... "
She stared blankly at his light-footed exit.
Why...
More than his change,
Why not me first...?
Iroha called him over her. Hurt bad.
I gave the card first.
I could help more.
I could do everything!
Cheon I-ryeong entered big pout mode.