Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Let's Get Married!
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Meteor, Yoo Ye-na.
The mere appearance of her—one of the Seven Apex Hunters who could claim the top spots for sheer firepower—had the entire club in a panic, scattering in all directions.
Just moments ago, everyone had been enemies. Now, as Yoo Ye-na stepped forward, the crowd parted to either side like the Red Sea.
Yoo Ye-na's ability was telekinesis.
Telekinesis itself wasn't rare, but her output was ridiculously overpowered.
When she fought, it looked like a meteor shower raining down.
Poke, poke.
"B-Boss."
"Yeah?"
Kim Yang was poking at the unconscious Geum Tae-min, who was being dragged along by telekinesis.
"Didn't you say you two weren't on good terms?"
"Right... This guy was the one who blocked your hunter license because he hated you so much."
The two of them stared at me curiously.
How was I supposed to explain this?
I glanced at Yoo Ye-na, but she was already striding quickly toward the exit, showing no reaction whatsoever.
She must have heard every word.
"Eh, Geum Tae-min just didn't get it. He jumped to conclusions on his own."
"S-So, Boss, you really were top of the class?"
"Nah, that was a lie too, right? If you were top, that means you beat her, which is impossible."
"It was true."
I shot back, pride stung, and Reneah patted my back reassuringly.
"Oh, come now! No need to get so defensive. You were plenty cool today."
"......"
I wanted to say something incredulous, but we'd already reached the club entrance.
Stepping out into the cool night air after being cooped up inside felt refreshing, ventilating my whole body.
Outside, police cars and Hunter Association personnel had already swarmed, surrounding the club.
After handing Geum Tae-min over to the police, Yoo Ye-na approached us.
"No problems here. They can't resolve Baekdu Pharmaceuticals right away, but they'll definitely keep them in check. I'll make sure your identities stay hidden."
"Thanks."
"Just doing what needed to be done."
Her tone was cool and expressionless, but that was Yoo Ye-na's default face.
She wasn't angry or annoyed.
"......Don't get involved in anything dangerous."
"I know. This wasn't the plan either."
I gave her a quick rundown of why we were here, and she nodded slightly.
It really had been a case of getting swept up in the mess—nothing more, nothing less—and she seemed convinced.
I figured we'd chat a bit, maybe deal with some police questioning, but Yoo Ye-na lingered, fidgeting awkwardly.
"......Is the job okay?"
"The job? It's great. It's my calling. Meeting people is fun. Sure, there are some weirdos and complainers, but..."
Thwack.
Grandma smacked my back, like I'd hit a nerve.
"Yeah, you'll probably have to give a light statement. But don't worry. I'll sort it out."
I awkwardly changed the subject, and Yoo Ye-na turned to leave, apparently out of things to say.
"Alright, shall we head out too? Even if the questioning wraps up quick, it'll be dawn by then... Let's grab some noodle soup."
"B-Boss."
"Yeah?"
"Sh-She's really just an old classmate?"
Kim Yang's nose for this stuff was sharp.
I caught my breath for a second, considering hiding it.
But that would just make it weirder.
It'd feel like there was something lingering.
So, I decided to just...
Be honest.
"She's my ex."
A few days later.
"Um, is this Meracle?"
As soon as I finished interviewing one applicant, another beastkin stepped into the office.
Kim Yang smoothly greeted her and showed her to a seat, like a pro.
"We'll find your miracle. Welcome to Meracle."
Her greeting was flawless now, after all my practice runs.
Three today already.
All beastkin, too.
'Yoo Ye-na, I owe you big time.'
There had been a ton of beastkin caught up in that incident—some even forcibly taken.
The news had been buzzing nonstop about it lately.
No mention of us at all, so she must've kept our involvement under wraps.
But it wasn't just covering tracks.
The first beastkin client told me the Hunter Association had recommended Meracle as a great place for a fresh start and new encounters.
Yoo Ye-na's doing, no doubt.
Thanks to her, Meracle was booming lately.
My bank account was looking fat, too.
'Heh, this is why you need solid connections.'
Even the basic membership was a million won.
[20,721,000 won]
My balance had been climbing steadily since that marriage fee payout!
'Did I hit the money jackpot? Buy a lotto ticket?'
They say money comes in waves.
Now's the time?
Now!
Humming to myself, I checked a file binder.
The one belonging to client Lee Cheol-su—the spark that started all this mess.
He was probably on a date with the female lion beastkin I'd matched him with by now.
If it didn't work out with her, no biggie. I had plenty more beastkin to introduce.
'Hope it goes well.'
Even if the world laughs at you.
Meracle's got your back.
I smiled contentedly and closed Lee Cheol-su's file.
Next time I opened it, it'd be to collect that marriage fee.
"Alright, the client who just arrived, head into the consultation room."
"Oh, sure!"
Being swamped was a good problem to have.
Before I knew it, time had flown to 4 p.m., with only an hour till closing.
Foot traffic finally slowed.
I stretched my back and sank into the comfy chair.
"Ahh! Kim Yang, how many today?"
"Seven, Boss."
"Whoa, record-breaking."
"R-Right? I thought this was an easy gig."
"......"
Busy company means happy boss, dead part-timer.
Scheming little sheep, aren't you, Kim Yang?
Even so, she brewed me a coffee.
I took a sip, relaxing into the warmth.
Clang!
"Waaah!"
"We'll find your miracle. Welcome to—oh, it's Grandma."
Reneah, who hadn't shown up in days, kicked the door open.
"We're closed for the day."
I said it half-heartedly, and she charged at me, fist clenched.
"Quiet, you traitor! You filthy traitor!"
"Ack!?"
Ever since the Yoo Ye-na incident, she'd been calling me a traitor.
She thought we were both lifelong singles, so finding out I'd dated someone crushed her.
But it was unfair!
"Hey, we didn't do anything! We dated a month maybe? Training kept us too busy for proper dates. We just held hands, that's it!"
"Still a traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!"
She started pounding my shoulder nonstop. A 5-million-won premium client deserved some leeway.
Capitalist punches, I guess.
"S-So, why'd you come today? Y-You should've gotten a match notification."
"You told me to come."
Right, I did.
"Appointment was at 1, and you show at 4:30? What gives?"
"Ahem, this queen took a nap."
What a total freeloader.
Last I heard, she was crashing in a pavilion behind Daebong Mountain. Seemed legit—reeking of grass, leaves in her white hoodie.
"You dropped 100 million. Rent a place."
"Huh? But sleeping under a tree is having a home. Why pay for—"
"B-Boss. Elf homeless crisis. S-Serious."
"I know."
It popped up in the news every so often. Elves camping under trees.
And their excuses were gold.
'We are one with nature.'
'Even flowers blooming under trees are restricted on the 3rd Floor?'
'Just let us flow. We are free and natural.'
Bullshit.
Reminded me of that viral clip: elves lounging under a massive park tree past closing time. Cops showed up, total chaos.
"Anyway! Why'd you summon me?! I'm busier than I thought!"
"You just napped. Busy how...?"
"Ahem!"
With a sigh, I pulled out the documents I'd prepped for Reneah.
"Name's Han Hyo-jae. 31 years old. Works as a manager at a paper mill. Section chief at his age? Talented guy."
"......Huh?"
Reneah eyed the photo.
Not a looker, but clean-cut with glasses.
"Salary around 50 million won. Parents set for retirement, no major flaws. Solid all around."
"......"
Her expression turned weird, staring down. She even pinched her cheek, like it was a dream.
"He says he likes other races over humans. Anyone non-human works."
"B-But... this queen is 1,901 years old? Did you lie about my age?"
"Told you that's illegal. I was upfront."
Both Reneah and Kim Yang gawked.
"But I convinced him hard. You're 1,901, but look stunning. Prime looks."
Hard? It was a brutal battle.
'Sir, she's only 1,901 on paper. Think of her as mid-20s. You'd be getting a steal. Real 20-somethings are out of your league.'
'What, dentures? No way. Look at the pic. Those teeth are hers—perfect.'
'Dementia? She was an elf queen! No chance. If she had it, I'd have bolted with your money.'
God, Kim Juseon, you suffered.
"He's F-rank, but premium paid... I really twisted arms—"
Thwack.
She pointed at the lettering on the docs.
"B-rank. Real upgrade. Let's make this marriage happen."
I grinned, and Reneah teared up, throwing herself into my arms.
"Waaah! Thank youuu! I love youuu!"