Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Breath-Touching Distance
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I pulled out the hoodie I'd been wearing before and slipped it on.
Thanks to my shrunken body, it was ridiculously oversized, but the roomy fit and deep hood were perfect for hiding my face.
I pulled the hood all the way over my head and stepped outside.
The outside world felt uneasy, but nothing could stop my creative urge toward the Dragon Rider.
With my face completely covered, what could go wrong?
If anyone recognized me, I'd just refuse, and if they got pushy, I'd blast them with a Fireball and bolt.
The director must have seen the news because she was briefly startled when she saw me at first, but she quickly returned to normal, probably figuring a hunter wouldn't come to learn art or acting.
"Oh my, Miss Roha. You've got real talent for drawing. You're improving so fast!"
"Thank you. But instead of Agrippa, could I draw something else? Like, a sword... or a dragon."
These days, even Agrippa wasn't being drawn anymore, but this academy director was still stuck on old-school methods.
"Miss Roha, are you interested in becoming a webtoon artist? Do you like fantasy stuff? Still, basics are important, so let's stick with it a bit longer?"
Fortunately, thanks to the Artist class influence, I was picking up sketches quickly and my skills were improving rapidly.
Seeing a sketch with proper shading and highlights made me certain I'd chosen right.
'No rushing. Everything for the dragon.'
Details matter. Details.
Each scale alive and moving, breathtakingly beautiful.
If I couldn't capture those details, it'd just be a giant salamander.
I finished class without incident, pulled my hood back up, and was heading home when a man in a sharp suit called out to me.
"Excuse me, could we talk for a moment?"
"Yes? No?"
He didn't seem like a cult recruiter. His sharp eyes looked at me clearly, like he'd come specifically for me.
How did he know, even after I hid so well?
"Just a moment of your time. Healer. Or should I say Saintess?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"A person's gait reveals more information than you think. From stride length to whether you land heel-first or outer foot... Ah, no need to worry, I have no intention of forcing you. Please relax? Drawing attention wouldn't be good for you either."
A chill ran down my spine at the man's casual words.
So he found me just from my walk?
It was near the scene back then, but still scary.
"If you just meet briefly with our Heavenly Flame Guild Master, we'll make it worth your while."
The man subtly opened his bag to show me.
Bundles of 50,000-won bills.
'Crazy, how much is that? And Heavenly Flame?'
Heavenly Flame was the guild led by Cheon I-ryeong, the S-Rank flame mage suspected to be behind the Equality Before the Art Gallery account.
Thanks to her deception, I got my skill, but...
Too much money to refuse.
"...Just a quick meeting?"
"Yes. Just talk, and after that, it's up to you. If you want, we'll even escort you home afterward."
"...Alright."
"Shall we get in the car, then?"
The door of a black sedan waiting nearby—like it'd been idling for me to exit the academy—opened.
Hm. Just curious about her, that's all.
When else would I meet an S-Rank hunter?
Not for the money at all. Got it?
"I'm Lee Jae-hoon, the Guild Master's Chief Secretary."
Lee Jae-hoon was a fairly famous A-Rank hunter in his own right. Introducing himself merely as chief secretary understated his own considerable power.
The fact that someone even mid-to-small guild masters coveted was just a secretary showed Heavenly Flame's strength in fragments.
"I'm Iroha."
"Iroha... Yes, it suits you perfectly."
Suits what?
I'd given my name because constantly being called Saintess or Healer felt weird, and he gave a meaningful smile.
Anyway, other hunters were competitors, so no reason for him to spread my name around.
"Ah, and you should change your shoes. The outfit from back then is especially memorable. The hood draws eyes too."
"Oh, right..."
Lee Jae-hoon's advice started on the way.
Come to think of it, I hadn't bought new shoes, so I was still wearing the same ones. Another shopping spree... exhausting. But what about my hair without the hood?
I pushed the hood back, and my silvery strands—shimmering almost transparently—cascaded in waves.
"Your hair probably won't need worrying about soon."
I shot him a questioning look, and Lee Jae-hoon glanced at my locks via the rearview mirror.
"Trends catch on fast."
"?"
What was that supposed to mean?
After that brief chat with Lee Jae-hoon, we arrived at Heavenly Flame Guild, which felt like a sleek art gallery.
"Oh my, Chief Secretary brought a little guest? And this is... Huh? The Saintess?"
"I'm Iroha."
I quickly stated my name at the embarrassing title, and a woman with water-blue long hair swept up gave a refreshing smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yeon So-ah."
Hunter info below average A-Rank wasn't widely known, so the name didn't ring a bell.
But from between Yeon So-ah's long locks, a translucent bird-like thing poked its head out.
"Oh, she's shy around strangers, but she's greeting you, Saintess."
"Not Saintess, I'm Iroha. But that kid..."
The bird, radiating an otherworldly aura, fluttered around nesting in her hair. No way?
"Miss Yeon So-ah is a Spirit User."
"Whoa... You can handle spirits."
"Eh, common compared to the Saintess."
Common? Magic-like abilities were rare even among Awakeners. And a Spirit User at that.
I didn't even know such a class existed outside elves.
But this woman stubbornly kept calling me Saintess.
"Miss So-ah. Is the Guild Master inside?"
"Yes. Go on in."
"Then, Miss Iroha. Shall we?"
Even with Lee Jae-hoon's escort, my eyes lingered on Yeon So-ah's spirit.
'Tempting...'
My thoughts were cut by a clear voice.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Cheon I-ryeong."
"Ah, I'm Iroha!"
Turning from the spirit, there amid elegant furniture that devoured all splendor with her crimson hair's overwhelming presence stood Cheon I-ryeong.
'So cute.'
I'd thought she was just small from the video, but the real Saintess—no, the creature who called herself Iroha—was doll-like adorable and pretty.
Her wide-eyed wonder at everything made her seem like a fairy fresh to the world.
Pristine purity.
I'd thought the Saintess nickname overkill, but now? What could suit her better?
Cheon I-ryeong swallowed unconsciously at sparkling Iroha's translucent silver hair and mystical purple eyes, then carefully spoke.
"Sorry for summoning you like this. I wanted to meet you so badly, I knew it was rude but asked anyway."
"It's fine. I was curious too."
Seeing herself reflected in those big eyes, Cheon I-ryeong thanked her S-Rank status.
'Even this pure girl was interested in an S-Rank.'
For some reason, Iroha's gaze made her prouder than anyone else's.
'Oops.'
Distracted by the protective instinct her appearance stirred, Cheon I-ryeong snapped to as doubt entered Iroha's eyes, straightening up.
As an S-Rank who must always be a model, showing such disarray shamed her.
"Are you okay? You look tired."
"Ah, I'm fine. Thanks for worrying."
Forcing an invitation then neglecting the guest. Yet Iroha worried for her instead.
Flawless character as a Saintess.
Cheon I-ryeong boldly doubled the planned monthly 100 million to 200 million.
"Straight to the point. I wanted to see you alone to propose joining our guild. Are you with another guild?"
"No. Not affiliated with any."
"Then... how about Heavenly Flame? If you want, we'll prep a raid team for Tower climbs, and pay a base 200 million monthly. Money might not matter to you, but take it as minimal sincerity."
"...200 million..."
Seeing Iroha's wide-eyed shock, Cheon I-ryeong thought doubling was smart.
Far exceeding even top S-Rank annual 2 billion.
No one could refuse this.
"Ah... Uh, ha... Sorry. I don't think I can."
"What?! Why... Another commitment...?"
Stunned, Cheon I-ryeong trailed off uncharacteristically, but Iroha vigorously shook her head and hands, denying it.
"Really not. Just... sudden, and burdensome. Never even thought about guilds..."
"Aah..."
Cheon I-ryeong realized her mistake.
This was the true Saintess who wielded the world's rarest power yet healed without reward.
Trying to buy such nobility with money.
Arrogantly upping the offer.
Without confirming the young-looking Iroha's wishes, tempting with cash. Cheon I-ryeong regretted deeply.
Why did I do this?
Desperate to recruit her, she'd overplayed, burdening Iroha.
'It's over... No chance here anymore.'
As dejected Cheon I-ryeong bit her lip to apologize,
"If I ever need a guild, Heavenly Flame first. Promise."
"R-Really? Absolutely?"
Iroha looked apologetic instead, so Cheon I-ryeong seized her small white hand, leaning in close.
Iroha's face flushed crimson at the breath-touching distance.