Chapter 151
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 151: How to Get a License (6)
Because Choi Sujeong had become very precious to me. And objectively, taking Gemini's hand is not a good choice. At my words, Gemini's expressions crumpled in boredom.
“Boring!” “Boring.”
I ignored them, slowly patting Choi Sujeong. If I had my way, I'd have liked to say a thing or two, but with Na Yuhan here, that was impossible.
“Hmph—” “Hmph.” “Contact us if you change your mind!” “Contact us.”
The moment I heard that, Choi Sujeong hugged me again. I just silently raised my eyebrows. Like hell I would. It was a good thing Na Yuhan couldn't see my face. At last, Gemini slowly turned to dust and vanished into the air. The rest of the group, unable to interfere, could only watch the entire scene, dumbfounded. After Gemini disappeared, and Choi Sujeong seemed to have calmed down, a cautious question was asked. What were those things? At that, Choi Sujeong…
“It's just as they said. They're things that throw a person's life into the mud while pretending to grant their wishes.” “Umm…” “Don't even think about getting involved with them.”
She said only that, and seemed to have no intention of saying anything more. Is that a relief? I looked at Park Yul-ah, who, for some reason, kept pressing Choi Sujeong about Gemini's identity.
“I've never seen or heard of mana like that!”
“Then stay that way. Nothing good comes from getting involved.”
“No, I mean, it seems like that, but… they said something that bothers me…”
“I told you. They grant wishes. They know all sorts of things. You don't need to worry, since they don't go blabbing. They don't even show themselves to anyone they're not interested in.”
“If that's the case, it's a relief, but…”
Park Yul-ah stepped back, looking uneasy. Of course she's uneasy. The form of Gemini'smana must have looked extremely suspicious to her, and more than anything, she must be wondering how they knew she was a vampire-hybrid. But, what was that 'Lord' thing Gemini mentioned? And what did they mean about 'escaping into science'? I thought about asking Park Yul-ah, but her expression was so bad that I held off. It seemed she didn't want to reveal the secret of her lineage. Well, I'll check later when I get the chance. Na Yuri, who sighed at the suddenly ruined atmosphere, slapped Na Yuhan on the back.
“Stop thinking and let's go! We have to apply for our licenses, don't we?”
“Right! Let's get our licenses!”
At Shin Baran's agreement, everyone's attention shifted back to the Provisional License.
“I wonder what it looks like.”
“Won't it look like a driver's license or an ID card?”
“Similar. The regular license also looks like a driver's license.”
Na Yuhan answered Min Jaeyun and me. Unlike his pensive look from before, he seemed to have returned to his senses. And so, we returned to the counter, confirmed our passing grade, arranged to receive our licenses by mail, and returned to the Academy.
A few days later, the Provisional Hunter Licenses arrived at our respective dormitory rooms. The license looked, as Na Yuhan had said, similar to a driver's license. I put it in my Inventory and lay down on my bed.
“Huu…”
The meeting with Gemini came to mind. I'd pretended to be fine and refused, but the truth was, I'd been momentarily tempted. …Because I still haven't found a way to counter the Oracle'spossession. Just then, the bracelet vibrated faintly.
—Are you awake?
It was a call from the Tiger bastard.
“I'm awake.”
—I see.
Silence enveloped us for a while. One thing I'd learned from our time together was that this Tiger bastard had no talent for small talk. I spoke, as if picking a fight.
“Aren't you going to say something?”
—Have you changed your mind?
“...I meant make small talk, not get straight to the point.”
—Hm. I see.
“You have no social skills, do you….”
—I haven't spent much time with many people.
“No, if you just accept it like that, what does that make me?”
—What does it make you?
“Forget it….”
—Alright.
I wondered what to do with this Tiger bastard, who couldn't even take a joke, and shook my head. He was useless as a conversation partner. I idly tapped the bracelet. And I thought about whether I could trust this guy. As if to earn my trust, the Tiger bastard had steadfastly continued to tell me only the truth. I had even checked by asking for information that I could cross-check, so I was sure.
“You, why are you trying so hard to persuade me?”
—Because I have to stop the other races from dying.
I paused, noticing the subtle nuance in his words, and latched onto it.
“You have to stop them? Not want to stop them?”
—Yes. That is what must be done for that bastard who trusted me and gave me all his information in the previous turn, and for my mother who gave me all her power for my sake.
“Your mother?”
Tornito, who had been answering without pause, fell silent at this question.
—I'm sorry, but that's a personal matter. I'd appreciate it if you didn't take an interest.
His low, subdued voice hinted that this was a sore spot for him. No, if it's a sore spot, you should pretend it isn't, not honestly tell me not to touch it. Are you an idiot? I grumbled internally, but decided I could at least be considerate of this, and changed the subject. I was looking for something to say when I thought of this. I debated whether to say it, but figured, why not.
“You, you weren't lying to me, were you?”
Tornito replied, as if it were obvious.
—There's no need to lie. I've always been sincere.
“...Likely story.”
—Hm. Still a long way to go?
“...But I'll trust you a little. You managed not to lie.”
I heard Tornito let out a small laugh.
—That's an honor. Do you have questions today?
At his words, I brought up the topic I'd been thinking about for days.
“Do you have a way to stop the Oracle'spossession?”
Although, you guys probably couldn't stop it either, which is why things are the way they are….
—We do.
“Yeah, you don't… what?”
—Normal people, excluding the 'key figures' the Oracle is focused on, can be protected by wearing or consuming certain items we possess. We just lack the materials to make them.
“...Money. It's important.”
Very important….
—Are you worried about the Oracle'spossession right now?
“Yes!”
—Unfortunately, the people around the Player are 'key figures', so our items can't block their possession.
God damn it. I felt the hope I had just found vanish.
“Haaaaah…”
As I let out a long sigh, the Tiger bastard was silent for a moment, then cautiously spoke.
—…It's not that there's no way.
“...There is?”
—We've done various research to stop the Oracle'spossession. In the process, we even designed an item that could kill the Oracle completely.
“Then why didn't you use it?”
—I said designed. We lacked the materials. To create that item, the ‘Wedge’, we would have to grind up one of the Six Races' Keys. Without Key-level power, it's difficult to seal or kill the Oracle.
“I see. And you need the Six Races' Keys to open the doors….”
What the Tiger bastard just said must mean that since the Key is the material, they can't make the item. But the moment I heard his words, I thought, we can make it. Because…
“If so, what if you had a spareKey?”
—It would take time, but… I heard there would be no problem in producing it.
Because I have the Seventh Key.
“If so, the Seventh…”
—Hm?
“No, it's nothing.”
I'd almost unconsciously asked if he could make the Wedge if I gave him my Key, but I barely stopped myself and slapped my mouth. To think I was about to reveal the valuable information that I have the Seventh Key, without a filter, and trust him with it. I'd been on my guard, but I realized I'd unconsciously let it down while talking with him. I felt that I could trust the Tiger bastard himself, even if not the Wild Hunt…. But in the end, the Tiger bastard is a member of the Wild Hunt. Let's not tell him I have the Seventh Key yet. There are many reasons. The Key is a resource with too much power to just hand over. Even if I did, there's no guarantee they would use it to make the Wedge. And even if they did, they probably wouldn't just hand it over to me. I wasn't their comrade. The Wild Hunt is not an organization that consists of only the Tiger bastard. Remember that. I thought of that damned mosquito bastard's face and recharged my reason and anger.
“Okay, thanks.”
—For what. I'd be grateful if you've changed your mind.
“That's not it.”
—Hm.
“I'm going to sleep. Go away.”
—Very well.
I felt the connection snap and let out a sigh of relief. I'd started by grilling him daily, and now it was only once every few days, but I couldn't help but be tense every time I talked to him. ...Although I only just realized I'd been unconsciously letting my guard down. It feels like talking to this guy is getting harder. How annoying.I should sleep. Just as I closed my eyes, my body, now relaxed and tired, someone knocked on the door. Who is it at this hour?
“Who is it?”
I called out, but there was no answer. The person was silent, then shoved a piece of paper under the door. The shoved paper fluttered into my room. I got off the bed and looked. It was an envelope.
“...What's this?”