Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Hell Difficulty Shopping
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Time is relative.
At least from my observer's perspective.
"This one's pretty too... Want to try it on?"
"Again...? Already...?"
"Come on, we're just getting started. Hurry up."
No, hasn't she already bought like two outfits? Isn't that enough?
This seems like a solid shopping haul—we could call it a day. But "just getting started"?
Is it because she's an S-Rank hunter with endless stamina?
"... "
But what the hell is this outfit?
The dress Cheon I-ryeong had forcibly shoved at me was a frilly little number, all floaty with shoulder straps and ruffles along the hem.
How do you even put this on? Do you pull it down from the top like a T-shirt, or step into it from the bottom? No clue.
I went with what felt familiar, slipping my arms through the straps like a T-shirt first. It was easy enough to wear, true to a dress, but uncomfortable in a whole other way.
...Feels so exposed.
My bare legs stared back at me from the mirror. The cool AC air brushing against my skin felt utterly alien.
And since it was all one piece, there was this nagging anxiety that if the straps slipped, the whole thing would come right off.
"Th-this one's a no-go, I think."
Yeah, no way. Absolutely not wearing this.
The moment I declared it and reached for my regular clothes, Cheon I-ryeong poked her head through the curtain.
"It looks amazing on you! Why not?!"
She grabbed my hand again and dragged me out.
Stumbling in a daze, I finally got a proper look at myself in the full-length mirror.
...It does look pretty good.
The white frilly dress suited the girl's pale, vibrant skin in the mirror perfectly. Her even whiter hair added a fresh, tonal glow that brightened the whole vibe.
Who knew white looked this good on me?
My petite frame pulled off the potentially chubby-making color effortlessly, even layering on an extra air of fragility that tugged at protective instincts.
With my cheeks flushing shyly, it was lethally cute to boot.
The problem? That was me.
I could objectively admire the girl in the mirror, but parading around like that in public? A bit much.
Maybe for occasional home try-ons and personal satisfaction, but that's it.
"Oh wow, you look so pretty... Are you a child actress or something?"
"No, not at all."
"She really does, though! It suits you perfectly—can't imagine why you'd hate it."
Cheon I-ryeong lit up at the store clerk's sudden intrusion.
"Right? Way cuter than the first one. Did you bleach your hair like the trendy styles these days? It looks amazing... I'm jealous."
The clerk, piling on the hype with nonstop gasps of admiration, suddenly rolled up her sleeves. ...Wait, why are you...?
"Try this one on! It's new stock, but that's not why—honestly, it'd look perfect on you!"
"Whoa, this color turned out so well! Iroha, you too!"
"Huh...?"
More hands shoving me toward the fitting room.
Eventually, she dragged my completely wiped-out self back to the café, where—showing no signs of fatigue—she rummaged through the shopping bags.
Sipping her iced Americano noisily, she inspected each item one by one before nodding in satisfaction.
"This should tide us over for the summer."
"...This summer?"
"We'll shop for fall clothes next time."
What kind of talk is that?
Aren't clothes basically just summer-to-fall basics plus a puffer jacket for early spring and winter? That's plenty.
One month from now, it's the start of autumn anyway.
Her words hit like a terminal diagnosis, leaving me shivering, but Cheon I-ryeong just chuckled lightly and downed her iced coffee.
"I'll give you a ride home after a short break."
"Huh? No, I can go back alone."
"You sure?"
Her smiling eyes flicked to the pile of bags on the chair beside me, blocking any retort.
She'd insisted they all looked great and forced them on me...!
Maybe this was all part of some scheme.
But Lee Jae-hoon would spill everything if I asked anyway, so what's the point?
No real reason to go through the hassle. Probably just genuine goodwill for saving her life.
"Just to my place, then... "
I nodded faintly and chugged the strawberry juice in front of me. The much-needed sugar filled my mouth smoothly.
A blissful smile spread across my face at the sweet chill, and Cheon I-ryeong's gaze turned oddly intent.
"You like sweet things...?"
"Yeah, I do. They're tasty."
The biggest change since my body swapped was my taste buds, hands down.
I still loved pork stir-fry and pork cutlets, but now I craved sweets I used to skip.
Tanghulu? I'd quit after one candy because my mouth got too sticky before, but now I could polish off three or four skewers easy.
"Then we'll do a dessert course next time."
"No, really, you don't have to... "
Cheon I-ryeong was drifting further from her original poised image.
I showed a hint of discomfort at the overly chummy distance, and she backed off with a wistful look.
"Well... we've got plenty of time. Shall we head out?"
Still mumbling cryptic stuff, she prompted us to leave. I slurped up the rest of my strawberry drink and stood.
We split the bags and headed to the parking lot where her car was. As expected—a license felt necessary now.
Back in the day, car maintenance costs and lack of cash kept me from bothering, but with 300 million dropping monthly now? Who cares.
A supercar in three or four months, easy?
Get the license, save up in the meantime. A grin crept onto my face thinking of a few models.
"Glad you're in a good mood. I was worried I'd been a bother."
"Not at all. Thanks to you, I got some great clothes."
My smile was for different reasons—but still, she'd hooked me up with proper everyday wear.
Half skirts, which weren't my fave, but they made me look like a normal girl. Before, my choices skewed neutral, probably my old self's influence.
The mall parking lot was huge, dotted with unprotected crosswalks. So who the hell was revving their engine and flooring it here?
Not many cars on a weekday afternoon, sure, but that didn't excuse some psycho speeding through.
I frowned at the luxury foreign whip roaring menacingly around—
Then a kid bolted out into a crosswalk ahead.
"Ah! A child!"
Cheon I-ryeong's startled shout. The mom was busy loading the trunk and had lost sight of the kid.
Damn—
"No! Iroha, stop!"
My body moved faster than my brain.
I yanked the orb from my pocket, floated it beside me, and focused to cast Ruff.
The driver hadn't spotted the kid and barreled straight on. At this rate, impact.
Will the orb block it?
No guarantees. No clue on its defense limits yet. Had to alter that car's path even a little...
"Guild Master! Fire!"
My yell ignited a burst of red flame.
Cheon I-ryeong conjured fire in her hand without hesitation and raised it high. The driver finally clocked it, freaked, and yanked the wheel sideways.
The car's trajectory swerved right, barely grazing the kid. A sharper turn would've been ideal, but the speeding chassis fishtailed out of control.
Still, that bought enough time—
I sprinted with every ounce of strength, snatching the kid's wrist and yanking her toward me.
Pulled her from Ruff's projected path, then hugged her tight—just in case—and positioned the orb at my back.
Skreech— The orb scraped lightly, and the swerving car slammed into a row of parked vehicles before grinding to a halt.
"Kyaa! Mi-Mina! Are you okay?! I'm so sorry, so sorry!"
The mom came rushing up late, scooping the kid into a tearful hug. Luckily, the child was just shaken up, nothing worse.
"Phew... Glad she's fine. But please, keep an eye on her in places like this."
"I'm truly sorry... thank you... thank you so much for saving our Mina... sob..."
The dazed kid started bawling when her mom did. I backed away from the fuss, and Cheon I-ryeong charged over, grabbing my shoulders.
"What were you thinking, rushing out like that?! It's dangerous!"
"B-but I had the orb..."
Can't mention seeing the rough path.
Forced a grin to preserve my healer vibe, and she pulled me into a frustrated hug.
"Seriously... I can't take my eyes off you for a second. Why don't you ever look after yourself... "
"Mmph—"
Her soft, warm hands cupped my cheeks. But as suffocation set in and I squirmed, she hugged tighter.
Hey, can't breathe—mmph—
"What the fuck! Jumping out and slinging magic like that—you psychos trying to kill me?!"
Saved by the raging driver climbing out of his half-wrecked luxury ride.
Car's trashed, but he's unscathed... Hunter?
"Nearly died there! Hey, you, redhead. Lucky I'm a hunter, or what? Threatening people with powers like that?! Look at my car—it's totaled! What're you gonna do about it?!"
The guy bellowed and jabbed fingers wildly. Rookie hunter, fresh off the boat.
Otherwise...
Even with the changed vibe, red hair + fire? Anyone'd suspect her once.
Cheon I-ryeong released me and advanced as the idiot kept yelling, oblivious.
"What's your name? Affiliation?"
"...Uh... wait—"
Her vibe shifted hard; he blinked, realized who she was, eyes bulging.
"Want compensation? Fine. Just give me your name and affiliation."
"N-no—on second thought, my bad."
"Name."
"Sorry! My mistake!"
Crushed by her aura, he spat apologies and bolted.
...Idiot? Car's there, CCTV everywhere—thinks we can't track him?
Cheon I-ryeong gave a hollow laugh, mirroring my thoughts, and pulled out her phone.
"Chief Secretary Lee. Zenith Mall here—track someone down for me. Yeah, vehicle's on site, should be easy."
See? Could've ended with a warning and apology. Now she's pissed proper.
She hung up with Lee Jae-hoon, reverted to her soft self, and took my hand.
"Can't take eyes off kids, huh? Let's go home."
"...I'm not a kid, you know."
