Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Proper Discipline and Rewards
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"Is this... a bracelet?"
A single bracelet gleaming with a silver-white light.
It wasn't made of silver or ivory, yet it emitted a serene white glow that made it look extraordinary at first glance.
"Yes. It's an item processed from the material dropped after defeating the S-rank boss the other day. Do you remember that horn that blocked all ranged attacks? This is a defensive artifact made by compressing and refining it."
Ah! That horn from the horned monster's shoulder that gave the hunters so much trouble. She remembered Lee Jae-hoon handing over the orb back then and saying he'd make something from the materials too.
She'd completely forgotten.
Upon closer inspection while holding it, it felt weightless yet exuded an air of refined elegance, like a piece of luxury jewelry.
But a defensive artifact... With the orb already in hand, adding another defense item felt a bit underwhelming.
An offensive item would have been perfect for climbing the tower.
"This bracelet is called Moon Spirit. Its effects include 50% reduction against S-rank magic attacks, 90% reduction against sub-S-rank magic attacks, curse immunity, and more—it's specialized in magical defense."
Regrets canceled.
This was straight fire!
S-rank attacks halved, everything else cut by 90%—most magic could just be tanked outright. And curse immunity to top it off.
Considering how Cheon I-ryeong had struggled against the horned monster and nearly gotten wiped out, these options made perfect sense.
With the orb and Moon Spirit, she could probably play full tank.
"Is it really okay to give something like this to me?"
She tossed out a half-hearted protest for show, and Lee Jae-hoon smiled reassuringly, but Cheon I-ryeong jumped in.
"I have one too! Couple bracelets!"
Another Moon Spirit sparkling on Cheon I-ryeong's left wrist.
The two horns from the monster's shoulders had been amicably processed and now shone together.
Wooong—
As she slipped the Moon Spirit onto her wrist, the orb in her pocket hummed in resonance and floated up.
"Huh?"
"The orb is reacting to the horn."
"They're both glowing."
The orb and Moon Spirit lit up in brilliant silver-white light, then the orb dissolved in a shimmer and began merging with the bracelet.
A moment later, as the moonlight faded, the two items had twisted together like knotted rope, becoming one.
"I've never seen them merge like this before. Items are usually split based on shares, so cases where one person owns everything are rare—I didn't know this could happen."
Everyone stared in fascination at the Moon Spirit on her wrist, but Cheon I-ryeong alone looked like she'd lost her country, her face crumpling.
"Ah... Ah..."
"What's wrong, Guild Master?"
"My... my couple bracelet!"
Oh, that was the issue?
Ignoring Cheon I-ryeong's plea to separate them again, she held the Moon Spirit up to the light and asked Lee Jae-hoon.
"What happens to the original effects when they merge like this?"
"It won't be a downgrade. We'd need an appraisal for the details, but it'll at least maintain the previous performance."
"Good to know. I was worried such a precious item might get ruined."
They chatted about the Moon Spirit for a while until the excitement died down a bit, then Jin Tae-san spoke to her.
"Iroha. I'm sorry you got dragged into this mess. I'll make sure the media never pulls something this stupid again."
"Speaking of which, why did the media even do this?"
Did they think it was a perfect crime?
But with the truth out like today, the backlash would be massive.
"A few had clear malicious intent and egged it on, but most just rode the wave for clicks and attention. Business as usual—if no one cared, a quick correction article would suffice."
"That's a bit much."
She knew they splashed headlines across the front page when breaking the story, then buried a one-line correction somewhere obscure when they messed up.
"But no more dodging responsibility like that. Of course, we can't let this incident slide either."
"What do you plan to do? Messing with the media tends to get noisy, doesn't it?"
Strict with others, but when touched themselves, they cried media suppression and right to know.
Sure, there were real journalists, but in this era, clickbait profiteers dominated.
"What choice do we have but to touch them?"
"...Pardon?"
How to punish without touching them?
"For now, we'll designate Daily Hunters as our official external communications channel, with a few conditions: fairness and neutrality. Comply, and they keep the monopoly."
"Won't other outlets protest?"
"What can they do? They brought it on themselves. The Association's motto is fairness and cooperation. We can't work with those who undermine fairness. Well... if they run a front-page article, plus opening and closing segments on the main news admitting their wrongs with corrections, we might reconsider."
Whoa... public execution.
A firm stance: no more vague non-apologies, or no more Association coverage.
"And this incident showed us that total gate control isn't the answer. We'll station Association staff at gates and disclose info after post-clearance interviews."
The follow-up was equally shocking.
Releasing gate information.
For hunters whose main income came from gates, who held more intel and cleared them decided guild strength.
Seol A-yoon looked surprised too at this direct challenge to closed-off hunter customs.
"Gates are humanity's top priority. Profit-chasing bad habits must end. We'll ensure clearances happen in better environments, guaranteeing hunter safety and safe return—and ultimately, peace of mind for citizens. That's how the Association will move forward."
Why was the government handling things so well?
She'd felt it before, but it was like the top brass had been completely purged and replaced—they were executing flawlessly.
Or maybe Jin Tae-san made it so.
Doubtful one man could, but his sly card-playing was almost scary.
"When did you prepare all this?"
"Ah, some were in the works already. With the Federation wobbling, it's time to push."
Yeah, never make an enemy of Jin Tae-san.
His smile hinted at more hidden cards; she resolved to be wary of politicians.
"Oh, Iroha. Do you like amusement parks by any chance?"
"Amusement parks?"
Random question, but of course she did.
The thrill of rides, eye-candy parades, festive vibes.
Sure, mostly waiting in lines, but memories were always fun.
Problem was, this flashy new body drew too much attention—she hadn't even considered it. Dyeing hair could pass as trendy, but with more exposure, stares would breed suspicion.
"Perfect. I have some free passes. How about you four go enjoy? I'll handle Association duties while you're away. No big gates scheduled, so take it as a change of pace."
"Eek, but four of us... won't we stand out?"
Two with white and red hair. Lee Jae-hoon was somewhat known as an A-rank, and Seol A-yoon's vibe next to her would invite assumptions.
Like begging to be recognized?
"No worries. I considered renting the whole place at night... but amusement parks need that bustling crowd, right?"
"True... I guess?"
An empty park might thrill at first, but rides running in the dark with no one around? Ghost town vibes.
And the rowdy energy was key.
So, what then?
"I have a way to alter your appearances slightly, so go relax and have fun."
Disguises?
"Yes!!! Super!!!"
"Gah, you startled me... Anyway, uh. Sure."
Cheon I-ryeong's sudden outburst rang in her ears.
Lee Jae-hoon and Seol A-yoon gave subtle nods—they seemed on board.
She was tired of skulking around too, and aside from the recent beach trip, her life was just house-Association-tower loop.
"Heh heh, glad to hear it. Then tomorrow, head to the address near Neverland I'll send you."
"Thank you for thinking of us."
"No, we're the ones sorry for our shortcomings. If you need anything in the future, just ask—we'll prepare it anytime."
Jin Tae-san seemed anxious she'd get disillusioned and vanish, bending over backward to appease her.
A bit pitiful, really.
But she had no plans to ghost.
Yesterday shook her a little, but this place was her honey pot. Why ditch over something like that?
She'd love if the one-year contract got extended.
"Oh, right, Miss Iroha."
As Jin Tae-san left the office, exasperated by his endlessly ringing phone, Cheon I-ryeong sidled up with a sly grin.
"...W-what?"
"Amusement park tomorrow... we gotta dress up, right? Those clothes we bought before aren't enough."
"Huh? No? They seem plenty."
She hadn't even unpacked half the shopping bags.
And amusement parks were for comfy clothes—
"Shopping time! Secretary Seol, grab her left arm."
"...Sorry, Iroha. But shopping... does seem necessary, so excuse me."
"W-wait! A-yoon, you're supposed to be on my side—waaah!"
She was dragged off by the two.