Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Interview
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After successfully conquering the A-rank gate and returning to the Hunter Association, I grabbed Seol A-yoon and sat her down.
"Y-You're not originally from the secretary's office, right? Why go to the trouble of creating that kind of setup just to stay by my side... Are you really planning to take me to America?"
Money-wise, sure, the land of opportunity would pay top dollar... but I have zero interest in actually living there.
The language barrier is one thing, but the food is completely different. White rice with kimchi and rich, spicy stew. I'm a die-hard Korean food fan, no matter what.
"As if. I only came to Korea to stay by Roha's side. As for the secretary story... I'm sorry. I knew it was a stretch, but I asked Minister Jin Tae-san to create a fake identity for me anyway."
"Why on earth... Okay, fine, a fake identity I can let slide. But why come all the way from America here for me?"
I could overlook the identity thing since I owed Jin Tae-san one anyway, but why make such a fuss about sticking by my side? I'd only ever known of her existence under the name Yerina, an American hunter.
"Do you remember Kim Ha-yeon, the girl who got hurt in that car accident a while back?"
"Kim Ha-yeon...? Ha-yeon... Oh."
How could I forget? That was the turning point where I got seriously entangled with Heavenly Flame Guild, and the misunderstandings started spreading like wildfire.
"Ha-yeon is my niece. Her mom—my sister—had naturalized here in Korea, and one day she called saying her daughter had been badly injured in an accident. I was shocked and tried to fly over immediately, but she said it was fine—that she was all better—and told me the story while sounding half-crying, half-laughing."
Seol A-yoon's usually stoic expression softened as she spoke about her sister and niece.
"And I got curious. About the hunter who healed a regular person like that, for free no less. I'd never seen anyone like that in America."
"It was nothing, really. Just happened to..."
"Does that make everyone else too pathetic to even do that 'nothing'?"
Is that how arguments work? Even so, having an S-rank hunter as my personal secretary was a national loss. What was that old man Jin Tae-san thinking, approving this?
"Still, this won't do. I should talk to Minister Jin Tae-san and cancel the secretary thing."
I stared at Seol A-yoon, who just gave an enigmatic smile without protest, then shook my head and stood up.
Time to clock out. I hadn't done much, but it felt like I'd accomplished a ton, and I was exhausted!
"I'll head out then. You won't follow me all the way home, right?"
"Of course not. You must be tired—get some rest."
Surprisingly, she backed off cleanly on that front. If she'd pushed like Cheon I-ryeong, I'd have been drained.
I got home and flopped onto the bed.
"(¸◕ˇ‸ˇ◕˛)"
Dali popped out, full-on pouting. Ah, I'd been so busy lately, I hadn't played with her properly...
"Sorry, I've been way too swamped to pay attention."
I buried my face in Dali's belly, motorboated her, and storm-petted her with both hands. Only then did her sulky face relax, and she headed toward the outdoor pool.
Hm, perfect time to call Jin Tae-san.
"Hello, Minister Jin Tae-san."
"...Haha, Iroha. I heard the gate clearance went smoothly. Are you alright? I was just about to check on you—"
"No dodging. Don't you have something to say about Seol A-yoon, the one posing as my secretary?"
"...I'm sorry. She was so insistent, and I figured it could benefit you too... I meant to explain, but things got hectic."
I could picture him sweating bullets, but I couldn't let up here.
"Anyway, please cancel Seol A-yoon's secretary position. Wouldn't it be better to assign her something else? Like association president or similar."
"Iroha. This old man's shameless, but please grant my request. Yerina Hunter—no, Seol A-yoon Hunter—says she'll return to America if she can't be your secretary. You know Korea only has three S-ranks, right? These days, the number of S-ranks determines a nation's ranking. Korea desperately needs her."
What, my problem? I'd received too many favors to say that outright—and blindly agreeing would make me a sucker. Time for a proper hook.
"Still, pushing this through behind my back... it feels off. Kind of empty, you know?"
"Iroha. Is there anything you need? The government's been preparing ample compensation for you."
"Hm... I could use some magic stones—"
"Magic stones? I can have an A-rank one delivered weekly! Any preferred grade?"
"Uh, no. A-rank weekly... that should be plenty. Yes."
I'd aimed for maybe four or five B-ranks a month at best, but he jumped straight to A-ranks. Those traded for hundreds of millions each—my little snack budget for Dali ballooned to match my salary in an instant.
"Understood. I'll prepare them right away. Where's convenient for pickup?"
"Hm, send them home. Yes."
We arranged delivery via the underground passage robot vacuum, and I hung up on Jin Tae-san, who kept thanking me profusely. Ah, should I have haggled for more?
Bargaining really is tough. No wonder fixed-price marts beat markets.
Seol A-yoon stayed on as my secretary, but think about it: an S-rank hunter as my backup. I only had occasional gate schedules anyway, so we wouldn't cross paths much.
Probably just a passing curiosity, mixed with gratitude, leading to that weird request. She'd quit soon enough, take another association job, or go back to America—and that wouldn't be on me.
Oh, and the mana grass fruit. The cool, refreshing sensation when I got it triggered a quest, which startled me a bit.
This shady quest kept me from eating it—I just pocketed it tightly. Luckily, Dali ignored it, but now what do I do with it?
Just plant it in the ground? In a corner of the yard?
But considering the gate environment where it grew... doubts creep in. Mana grass thriving in the scorching desert sands... If I plant it carelessly and it rots, I'm the one who loses out.
Should I get some sand?
It didn't seem like it'd spoil right away, so I stashed it in a drawer and flopped back down. Quests don't demand the impossible... Hmm—but I'm sleepy now, so I'll think later.
"Heh... If I sell mana grass, I'd be loaded... Zzz—"
I dozed off like that and woke up groggy, interlocking my fingers and stretching them skyward in a daze. Next, hands on shoulders, rolling them around, then interlaced fingers loosening my neck up and down before arching my back.
"Urgh—"
Morning stretches were a hassle right after waking, but if I wanted to grow taller, stimulation was key.
Height was genetic, but not knowing this body's biological parents meant doing my best within my control.
Hm, no gate schedule today either. After pushing hard yesterday, maybe I could skip today— I was crawling back to bed when the bell rang.
"...Guild Master?"
"Roha, you up?"
"What's up so early?"
Aah, should never have told her my address.
Morning visits? Cheon I-ryeong was increasingly skipping work to wander around.
"10 a.m. isn't morning."
"It is for me."
"Hm, you gonna open the door or not?"
"...What's the reason?"
This door was my last bastion. Letting Cheon I-ryeong invade my home? Terrifying to even imagine. Unless it was a damn good reason, I'd send her packing firmly.
"Well, you promised yesterday, right?"
"...Promised?"
Yesterday... no way.
"You agreed to my request, so hang out with me today. I know you have no schedule."
"Who told you—"
"Good morning, Roha."
Why was Seol A-yoon here too? Was it okay for a secretary to spill her boss's schedule like that? Or was that her job? Whatever.
"Roha! It's summer—gotta hit the beach at least once before fall, right? Time to have some fun!"
"...The beach?"
"You promised, so no refusals. You're going."
"But I don't even have a swimsuit, and the beach is kinda—"
"You have swimsuits. From that shopping trip—haven't even unpacked them all yet?"
"...Huh? Bought some?"
When the hell? I didn't remember seeing any.
Panicking, I turned off the intercom and rummaged through the pile of shopping bags in the corner. Everyday clothes tumbled out, and among them, something stark white plopped down. Glossy texture, unlike the regular fabrics.
Half-closing my trembling eyes, I picked it up—and its shape became clear.
"It's real... When did I buy this...?"
We'd been together all day—when?
A real swimsuit, tucked in the bag.
A bikini, no less.