Chapter 21: The Healer Becomes Famous
Park Ha-yoon looked up at me with a distant expression. It was the first time since becoming an adult that I'd gazed down at her from such close range. All I could think was how long her eyelashes were. More than that, though, her slightly cracked glasses frame needed fixing soon.
"Are you alright?!"
Someone's shout snapped me back to reality. By now, the toad monsters had been neatly cleared out. Association staff were rushing over from afar, and the hunters dispatched with the guild's assigned bodyguard had fully sealed the dungeon.
"Anyway, I'm just glad you're safe. I was really shocked."
I'd been stunned when I saw the news. Above all, I'd been terrified I might be too late.
"You're a hunter, right? If it's not too much trouble, could I get some details on what happened?"
The man eyed the ring floating above my head. My wings had settled to the ground and vanished, but that halo was impossible to ignore. The ring of light from Holy Faith was still hard to control.
"I was just trying to save my family. As for the details..."
I glanced at Park Ha-yoon. She was a civilian, not an Awakener—and a victim at that. Best not to drag her into this.
"You should ask those hunters over there. I can't stay out here with my family any longer anyway."
I pointed to the two hunters I'd buffed. The association staffer's gaze naturally shifted that way.
"...If you really need to reach me, contact the Pania Guild. Thanks for your help."
I flashed my hunter registration card marked S-rank. The man's eyes widened as he nodded and headed toward the hunters I'd indicated.
"...Let's go home."
Next time, I needed to wear a hoodie. That glowing ring above my head drew way too much attention.
After exchanging goodbyes, Park Ha-yoon headed off on her own. Mom went straight to the master bedroom and crashed. I reached into my pocket to notify the guild—and then it hit me.
"...Ah. Dropped my phone."
Come to think of it, I'd left it at the galbi tang place during the move. Maybe someone picked it up? But with how urgent things got, probably not. I'd have to go retrieve it.
I changed into a gray hoodie in the dressing room and pulled the hood up to hide the ring.
"...What a hassle."
I wouldn't use it often unless necessary. Or I'd just get better at controlling it.
As I rode the elevator down to the villa entrance, a familiar woman came into view. Pale skin, glossy black bob cut. Cute features. Now with light makeup that suited her perfectly, highlighting her innocent charm. She had this petite allure.
"...Chae-eun? What are you doing here?"
"Seojun, I'm so glad you're safe. I saw it on the news, but I wanted to come check in person."
"Ah, I see."
Of course. It was breaking news worthy of the headlines. A bit embarrassing.
"And this!"
Yoo Chae-eun handed me my lost smartphone. Her ears looked a little red.
"Whoa, thank you. I'm touched."
No need to go fetch it myself. Saved some time.
"Oh, no. Oppa found it. The restaurant was too far from the station to rush over right away."
I hadn't expected to use Guardian Angel like that either. I'd been flustered, and anyone watching must have been shocked.
"Oh, right. The hunters from the guild were a huge help. Thank you."
"No way, I'm sorry we couldn't assign stronger ones. Anyway, I have something to tell you."
"Of course. Go ahead, Chae-eun."
Yoo Chae-eun glanced around nervously. I couldn't help but tense up. Even someone as oblivious as me could read this much. We'd only met recently. My imagination ran wild like I'd gotten ahead of myself.
Finally, she spoke.
"Until the raid next week, how about staying in? All eyes are on you right now. And the media's going to sniff this out big time."
"...Ah. Yeah, you're right."
"Don't worry—just trust us. If you need anything, tell me anytime."
She looked at me with sparkling eyes. My silly misunderstanding left me awkwardly sheepish.
"Got it. Not offended at all. I'll head in now."
"Wait—hold on!!"
As I turned, Yoo Chae-eun called out urgently. I looked back, our eyes meeting.
"Yes?!"
"Nothing! Get home safe~!!"
Yoo Chae-eun waved with a wistful expression. I waved back and returned home. For now, I'd just play games on the computer in the study.
Yoo Chae-eun stared blankly as Lee Seojun disappeared into his home. Even after he was gone, she kept looking—then slapped her cheek.
"Haha. My heart's still pounding."
She shuffled to her car and sped off toward the Pania Guild headquarters, gripping the wheel tightly.
"Hey~ little sis!!"
The other members were bustling about. The raid was right around the corner. But guild master Yoo Jae-hyun lounged casually.
"Oho~ From that look, looks like nothing happened. Oho."
His subtle mockery in that signature tone irked her. She debated punching him for real when the fact-bomb hit.
"Gave you a prime opening, but you couldn't even get a meal out of it. Tsk tsk. Oppa’s disappointed in you. Tch."
"......"
"But I'm always on your side, sis. Keep fighting!!"
Yoo Jae-hyun delivered it deadpan, then cackled and turned back to his monitor. He wasn't that into it. At least there were no real rivals. An S-rank healer young man—objectively the ultimate catch in this era.
Of course, she wasn't that into him.
"He's just... fine~. Not bad~. That's all~."
Suddenly, she felt down. She'd hoped to grab a meal together. Emotions crept up without warning.
He must be exhausted today. With his mom in danger too, she hadn't wanted to impose.
Yoo Chae-eun entered the lounge in the Pania Guild headquarters. Plush mattresses and blackout curtains blocking the sun made it cozy.
"Urgh."
She slipped into her usual bed for a rest. She pulled the fresh, fluffy blanket up to her chest.
"......"
Feeling her back relax, she grabbed her smartphone. Switched it to vibrate and opened her community site.
Hunter Gallery—a site where hunters shared random info.
Fr, only light visible. GodSeojun—is he a god?
Yoo Chae-eun scrolled through with her slender white fingers, then hit the home button. She put on her eye mask, closed her eyes, and steadied her breathing. Counting sheep slowly to fall asleep. One sheep jumps the fence. The next sheep jumps. The third sheep...
Suddenly, the sheep transformed. The sheep shape vanished, replaced by the man she'd been thinking about—Lee Seojun.
"One Lee Seojun, two Lee Seojuns. Three..."
Bliss. Come to think of it, that hoodie he'd worn today was so casual and cute. This wasn't helping her sleep!!
Yoo Chae-eun yanked off the eye mask and tossed it aside. Lee Seojun wouldn't go out until the raid next week unless something came up. Must be stifling. If he couldn't come to her, she'd go to him.
"...And I can say hi to his mom too."
She grabbed her phone from the table. Her fingers flew across the screen.
Defeat.
The speaker blared a booming alert, announcing my loss. I stared at the chat, got annoyed, and quit.
"Why no heal?!"
Artisans don't blame their tools. Fine, admit it—I'm just trash.
I turned my head; my phone was fully charged. As I unplugged it, notifications from Yoo Chae-eun and Jeong Ye-na popped up.
Now checking Jeong Ye-na's—wait, instant reply from Chae-eun.
"What, you think I'd lie?"
I set the phone on the desk. Lost the game, but chatting lifted my mood. Lying on the bed, my eyes drifted shut. Blissful freeloading life for now.