Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Move Aside, Auntie
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“Ah, shoot! Sh-shift change already! Look at my head... Anyway, Saintess, see you next time!”
“Ack! Just zap me once before you go! Tch...”
The attempt to get tased ended in failure.
Just shoot me once, that’s all... Isn’t it just fire and recharge? It doesn’t even use bullets.
“Hmm… Maybe I’ll swing by the art academy starting tomorrow. I could do it in the morning.”
For some reason, after seeing everyone downstairs working so busily, this sweet downtime started feeling just a tiny bit—really just a smidge—burdensome. Gate subjugation schedules were synced to my phone anyway, so couldn’t I just chill at home and head out when it was time?
I was rolling around on the sofa—masquerading as my bed—racking my brain for a solid plan going forward when my phone rang. It was Jin Tae-san.
“Iroha. Are you still at the Association?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Perfect. Don’t head home today. I’ve booked a hotel for you—go there instead.”
Eh? Suddenly ditching my perfectly fine house for a hotel?
“Out of nowhere? What’s going on?”
“Nothing major, but an A-rank gate near your place has been delayed, and dimensional instability is rising.”
Sounds pretty damn major to me.
“What are the guilds doing that it’s still not cleared…?”
“It was Abyss Guild’s territory, so we assigned it to them, but they’re dragging their feet with excuses, just like last time. It’s blatant protest. We’re gathering Association hunters for a forced subjugation, so for safety, please relocate temporarily.”
“I’ll go too.”
“Pardon? You don’t need to, Iroha.”
“No. I have to see this. Pulling this crap again… I need to witness it myself.”
“…Understood. I’ll have a car ready shortly.”
The call ended with a click. I let out a deep sigh, got up from the sofa, and checked my orb and mana pouch while stretching. Holding my precious my-sweet-home hostage for blackmail?
They probably didn’t mean to, but it was still sleazy scheming. If my house got compromised because of some cheap trick like that, I’d want to blow every guild sky-high.
I hadn’t even tried the slide yet! All the humiliation I endured to set it up!
“Hello?”
I immediately dialed Cheon I-ryeong.
“Oh, Iroha dear?”
“Sorry to bother you when you’re busy. I need a little help. Abyss Guild is striking on an A-rank gate subjugation—”
“Abyss, huh. I’m on my way. Oh, and one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t say sorry between us. Just grant me a favor later instead.”
“Huh? Oh… sure, got it.”
What kind of relationship is this? She said it with a laugh in her voice, the kind that could spark huge misunderstandings if overheard. And a favor… Some uneasy feeling washed over me, but I figured it was probably just tagging along shopping again.
Anyway, I had the muscle lined up and the justification on my side, so time to wrap this up quick and head home. Jin Tae-san said he was gathering hunters, but I couldn’t just sit around waiting.
My home was mine to protect.
As I steeled my resolve, the elevator dinged, and a woman in a suit stepped out onto the 20th floor. Association staff? She’s gorgeous, though—like she jumped out of a fashion magazine.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Seol So-yeon, your dedicated secretary starting today.”
“Uh, hi. Secretary…?”
A secretary for someone like me who doesn’t even have tasks? Talk about a waste of money. But Seol So-yeon continued with a calm smile, unfazed by my look.
“Yes. I was in Minister Jin Tae-san’s secretariat, but with the Association reorganization, I’ve been reassigned as your personal secretary. The car to the gate occupied by Abyss Guild as you requested is ready. Shall we depart?”
“Got it. Let’s go.”
I’d ask to cancel the secretary later. It was too burdensome—I might die of embarrassment.
The parking lot was separated, quiet with no other cars around. In the awkward silence, Seol So-yeon’s car glided smoothly out of the Association toward the gate.
She drives well…
The car sped along the road without a single jolt, stopping gently at lights and cornering smoothly without any sway. It was incredibly comfortable.
Soon enough, we arrived at the site—not far from the start. It was already chaotic with Association staff arguing with hunters.
“So when are you going in?!”
“Argh, we said we’re coming. What do you want with understaffing? Top hunters are joining soon—just wait.”
“You should’ve said that from the start. Now you say you’re gathering? Makes no sense!”
“Hey, the gate isn’t exploding right now. What’s the rush? Who said we’re not doing it?”
“You think gates are open 24/7 shops? They have closing times!”
“Jeez, this is how we roll. Never had accidents before—go home and don’t worry.”
The frustrated Association staff and a hunter smirking while picking his ear. That guy looks familiar. Right—he’s the one who got chewed out by me at the last S-rank gate… Kim Ho-jun, was it?
As I stepped out of the car, all eyes turned to me. Relief and surprise from the Association side, thick disgust and sneers from Abyss.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Seoul’s savior, the Saintess herself. What brings you to this dump? We know each other, right?”
Kim Ho-jun, still not learning after the insults, seized the chance to mock me. I breezed past him without a glance and stepped forward.
“I’d like to speak to Abyss Guild’s person in charge.”
“Jeez, our Saintess got hearing issues? Can’t she fix that herself? Ignoring people like a dog.”
“Dogs get ignored because they’re dogs.”
“…Has she lost it since last time?”
“Don’t approach Iroha.”
Seol So-yeon blocked the fuming Kim Ho-jun. She wasn’t cowed by an A-rank like him—probably same level herself. I’d never heard of her, though.
“Stop the undignified nonsense. I’m Chae Jeong-ah, in charge of this gate subjugation team.”
Abyss’s pride, Korea’s top healer Chae Jeong-ah strode forward, heels clicking. Her platinum-dyed hair looked messy with black roots showing. Staring made her snap—
“I’ve always dyed it like this.”
“Oh… right.”
Who said anything? Why’s she jumping the gun?
“So you’re the self-proclaimed Saintess healer lately… What, hungry for scraps to come here? Abyss and I have this—go home.”
I never proclaimed that… And we’re here because you can’t handle it. Do I look like a fox spirit charming people?
“Gate volatility is rising. If you won’t enter today, we’ll handle it.”
“Didn’t you hear? We’ve got it. Staff’s coming soon—don’t worry.”
“You know the law: if a guild lacks capacity, the Association and other guilds can subjugate instead, right?”
“With me, a healer, here? Lacking capacity?”
“Even with you, no one’s showing up… Yeah, looks like it.”
“What? I’m being nice, and you talk like that…? Kid whose blood hasn’t even dried thinks the world’s hers because people hype her up?”
Her awkward smile shattered, revealing her true colors. Chae Jeong-ah looked so much older. Look at those wrinkles cracking through her makeup.
“Not your business. So, subjugating today or not?”
“Kid…? A barely B-rank healer talking to me like that?”
“Then should I call you Auntie?”
“…This crazy—huh? What kind of bitch is this?”
“Watch your mouth. She’s not for the likes of you to insult.”
“Likes of me? You two ganging up—?”
Screeech—
Chae Jeong-ah’s words drowned in the screech of braking cars pulling up fast. There’s the carp, mouth flapping.
“Sorry for the delay. Heavenly Flame Guild, here to support.”
“Right on time. Thanks for coming.”
“Who called? Of course we’d come.”
Cheon I-ryeong appeared, radiant as a blooming rose again, followed by Lee Jae-hoon and a swarm of Heavenly Flame A-ranks piling out.
Kim Ho-jun bit his lip and stepped back, but Chae Jeong-ah pushed forward, raising her voice.
“What’s this? This is Abyss territory. Heavenly Flame has no business here.”
“Outdated territory talk. We’re here on Association request for subjugation support.”
“…So you’re siding with the Association? Over one kid healer?”
“One kid? Her achievements already outstrip yours. Oh—yeah, I get it. Inferiority complex… Gotta understand.”
“Even an S-rank like you is going too far. What do you get playing government dog? Power, for turning every hunter against you?”
“Turned their backs? Who turned first? Quit flapping that worthless mouth. While you trash ignored us and laughed, only the Saintess lifted us up. And you dare block her way?”
Chae Jeong-ah paled at Cheon I-ryeong’s sharp words laced with aura. As Cheon advanced step by step, all of Abyss retreated in kind.
“So, get lost. We’re busy—no time to deal with trash like you one by one.”
Cheon I-ryeong, who’d glared ferociously at them, turned to me with a spring breeze smile and extended her hand.
“Shall we go, my Saintess?”