Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Kwon Yena (1)
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“Ah, sorry...”
No matter how you slice it, calling the Saintess a cultist?
It was so absurd that the words slipped out before I knew it, but that was absolutely not something to say to her face.
“...I understand why you’d think that.”
Thank goodness.
The Saintess herself couldn’t outright agree, but she seemed to share similar sentiments.
If even the Saintess thought there was something wrong with their group, then the Holy Kingdom must be rotten to the core.
Being confined under their surveillance was no different from imprisonment, so if I wanted to help, I needed to hear exactly what her situation was and what the Holy Kingdom was planning.
“First off... I really don’t know anything about the S-rank gate raid. They just keep repeating that it won’t be hard to clear if I cooperate, but they haven’t shared any other information with me.”
Apparently, the Saintess only had good public support and image outwardly; she didn’t have much say internally.
Beyond being weak internally, if she was being oppressed like this...
“If that’s the case, why not just leave the guild...”
“Leaving the Holy Kingdom... isn’t that simple. Above all, if they push ahead with the S-rank gate raid, I’ll have no choice but to help...”
The Holy Kingdom was clearly different from other guilds—you could tell just from how they kept her locked up—so withdrawal probably wasn’t like a normal guild either.
The idea of the Saintess leaving the Holy Kingdom didn’t even make sense to begin with.
Unfortunately, it looked like I wouldn’t get any info on this S-rank gate raid from her.
Beyond that, there was something I needed to ask her first and foremost.
“Do you want to get out of there right now, by any chance?”
“...No. They need me for the S-rank gate raid in the end, so it’s not a dangerous situation.”
“Then, if you need my help, just send a message...”
“Hehe... Mr. Boastful Blacksmith, you’re a huge help to me again. I’ve been putting that debt from back then to good use.”
“Ah... yes, glad you’re satisfied.”
The Saintess opposed the S-rank gate raid too, but if it went ahead, she’d have to participate.
Given her position in the Holy Kingdom, and as an S-rank healer, sitting out would be like watching her guildmates march to their deaths, so she had no choice.
“Whew...”
...
There wasn’t anything I could do right now, and she wasn’t in urgent need of help.
If she got into danger during the gate raid, I could figure something out then.
I didn’t have equipment that would help her anyway, and even if I did, we weren’t close enough for me to hand it over for free.
“...Well, message me anytime if you’re in trouble.”
“Ah, really...? Is that okay with you?”
“Of course. You’re my VIP customer.”
“...Thank you.”
After one last plea for her to message me if anything dangerous happened, we ended the conversation.
If the worst happened after entering the gate, I could at least pull her out with VIP summon, so no need to panic until a week before they entered.
Separately from that, a question popped into my head.
‘A force even the Saintess doesn’t know about...’
The World Hunter Association’s recommended S-rank gate raid party was six or more S-rank Awakeners.
For them to push the raid even after withdrawing from the Association meant they had comparable forces, or some strategy or method that made it irrelevant.
‘Damn... I’m jealous.’
Thinking from the perspective of soon running my own guild, envy hit first.
“What about our guild...”
Excluding me, it was just Yena and Hyeji.
In other words, one S-rank Awakener and one B-rank.
Of course, once Hyeji officially joined, I planned to give her A-rank gear.
It’d come out of her salary, though, so she’d be tied to my guild until she paid it off.
“Yeah... elite few has its own charm.”
Fewer members meant lower defection rates and tighter bonds.
I’d make it a family-like guild.
——
Ding-ding~ ding-ding-ding~ ding-ding~ ding-ding-ding~
“Mm...”
Fancy ceiling.
I woke to the alarm, immediately got out of bed, and headed to the bathroom.
Today was the day Yena finally finished her month-long training and came out.
Someone who’d been like family, training together every day.
No, since I had no family to begin with, she was the most precious person in the world.
As long as gate raids didn’t drag on too long, we could meet anytime she wanted, so no rush, but she’d probably love it if I was waiting right when she got out.
I’d woken at 3 p.m. yesterday, so I only fell asleep at 4 a.m.—less than four hours of sleep.
But no helping it.
She was our guild’s top firepower; had to welcome her properly.
——
“Whew...”
Still early February, so damn cold.
This was in front of the Twilight Guild headquarters.
Besides me, lots of people waiting for those returning from training.
‘Way more than I expected...’
Was Twilight Guild having a talent boom this year?
Stunned and curious by the huge crowd, I waited until the appointed time of 9 a.m.
“They’re here!!”
Exactly at 8:59.
A large bus finally came into view.
With so many waiting, it made sense there were a ton of trainees—at least ten buses by the look.
Finding Yena among them would be a chore, a mild headache starting—
“Yujuuuun—!!!”
A massive voice calling my name rang out.
Someone half-hanging out a window of the lead bus.
“Yuuujuuun~~~!!!”
It was Yena, of course, letting me know she was on the first bus.
Grinning instinctively from joy, I started toward where it would stop—
“There he is!!!”
“Move quick!!!!!”
Suddenly, people around me rushed toward the first bus.
They’d appeared out of nowhere, all holding big cameras.
“Crazy...”
Korea’s official third S-rank Awakener.
A nature-attribute mage like Chae Yeonhwa, Kwon Yena was the hottest topic right now.
——
“Ugh... what now.”
No way I’d dive into that crowd.
Chaos as they shoved people aside and shoved cameras in faces.
They were clearly Awakeners too, stronger than me.
Couldn’t pull out gear and force through either.
Wiser to back away from the crowd so Yena could spot me easily.
The moment I turned from the bus and took a step—
Whoosh!!—
Vrooom...
“Wha... wha... whaa...!!!!!”
“Pfft. Yujun, calm down!”
“Ye... Yena?!!”
I hadn’t heard it directly, but the voice came through VIP response indirectly.
Finally sensing Yena’s familiar scent.
“Wha... what’s...”
Calmed by the warm, familiar feel, I slowly looked around.
Then glanced down.
And lost all calm again.
“Uwaaaah—!”
I was flying.
——
“Huff... huff...”
“Yujun~ Better now?”
“Wa... water...”
“No water here, obviously~ So calm down quick and let’s go home!”
No idea where, but we were on the roof of some insanely tall building.
Wind Mage, so yeah, makes sense.
Yena could fly freely through the sky.
“Huh? Hurry up!”
She was floating midair, oddly more comfy that way, urging me on.
“Whew... yeah, let’s go.”
Heart finally settling, we headed home.
“Yup! Come hug!”
“Wai... wait. If you can fly with wind magic, can’t you just levitate me like that too?”
“...Not that skilled yet~ One slip and you’d plummet. Unless you’re okay with that~”
“Ah, got it!”
No choice, I approached Yena and got scooped up princess-style.
So embarrassing I asked if she could change it, but any position felt the same.
Vroooom... clunk.
“Wow~ Yujun lives in such a nice place~?”
“Yena.”
“Yup~?”
“You could’ve flown normally like this the whole time?”
“Ahaha... What’re you talking about~?”
The takeoff had been a shaky rollercoaster-speed thrill ride.
But from that roof to here? Smooth, no shake, quiet and peaceful landing.
“You shook it on purpose.”
“Hehe... your reaction was too funny...”
“You little punk!!!”
“Kyaa~!”
I attacked Yena with all my heart... and E-rank minion strength.
“Kyaaak~ It hurts~~~”
——
Meanwhile, Kim Hyuncheol, an A-rank Awakener from Crimson Lotus Guild, out on escort and surveillance duty per Chae Yeonhwa’s orders.
He’d been stationed where he could see Shin Yujun, but in a blink, he vanished.
About to report the disappearance to Chae Yeonhwa after scanning around—
Shin Yujun: I just got back to my room~
Kim Hyuncheol: Understood.
...Shrinking the earth or something?
‘As expected... of the talent Chae Yeonhwa pays special attention to.’
Kim Hyuncheol’s misunderstandings kept piling up, starting from sneaking Kim Hyeji into his room unnoticed.