Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Unexpected Encounter (3)
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Unable to resist Jin Seohyeon's pressure, I was dragged along to a nearby café.
It was past lunchtime, so the tables were mostly empty.
Only one had two cups of coffee sitting on it.
I tried my best to ignore the stare boring into me as I sipped my coffee, but eventually, I couldn't take the pressure and looked up.
Jin Seohyeon was gazing at me with sparkling eyes, like she'd discovered something incredibly fun and fascinating.
"Uncle, I've got so many questions."
"I, uh, I know you're 25, Jin Seohyeon... so we're only two years apart. Calling me 'uncle' is kinda..."
"Uncle. Don't change the subject."
"Yes, ma'am."
Jin Seohyeon slurped her coffee once.
She winced slightly, probably from the cold drink hitting her forehead.
"Why are you so tense? Anyone would think I'm threatening you. Am I that scary?"
Yeah, fucking terrifying. Please spare me.
I shoved my inner scream aside and forced my lips into a smile.
"Haha, well, you're about to become an S-rank hunter. I can't just treat you casually..."
Thud. Jin Seohyeon smacked the table.
Her irritated gesture made me snap my mouth shut.
"Don't say stuff you don't mean. Look, I just wanted to thank you and ask some questions. But first, let's drop the formalities—be honest with me."
What? Did I stumble into some gratitude-reversal world?
I hesitated, but those fierce eyes left me no choice but to speak.
"Well, during the counseling session, when you pressed down with your barrier..."
Jin Seohyeon gave me a baffled look at my words.
"That wasn't even that strong. I was just lightly messing with you so you wouldn't wander off. And you're hung up on that?"
That? Messing?
If she'd pushed any harder, I'd have been Han Yujin ketchup. And she calls that messing around?
"Anyway, if it bothered you, I'm sorry, Uncle. I get misunderstood a lot for my playful tone, but this is sincere."
It didn't feel sincere at all, but what could I do? Refuse the apology?
I accepted it awkwardly, and the irritation faded from her face.
Surprising. Maybe she really did want to talk openly with me.
"So, what were you curious about?"
"Uh, hold on? Now that we're face-to-face, it's slipping my mind. Damn."
She clutched her head with a groan, then suddenly snapped it up as if something had clicked.
"Let's clear this up first. How did you know your doppelgangers used life-sharing?"
Doppelgangers?
Ah. She meant the 'Crystal Mirror Images.'
Those weren't real entities to begin with—they were illusions created by the crystal's light.
Which was why destroying the crystal itself was the right solution, rather than dispelling the illusions.
To be precise, it wasn't life-sharing either. Damage reflection was more accurate.
A question arose in my mind too.
The fact that she survived meant she'd gleaned info from my illusion.
So I'd assumed the necessary details had gotten through.
But from what she was saying, there were massive gaps in the information.
I glanced at Jin Seohyeon.
She'd asked the question, but now she was pouting at me lost in thought.
It hit me then.
Jin Seohyeon surviving had been a straight-up miracle.
"...You really went through hell. I can't explain in detail, but let's just say I figured it out with my ability."
That was that, but this part I couldn't be truthful about.
How do you say, "I learned it from a game"?
"What's with the sudden formal tone...? Anyway, an ability? Like the Berserk Guild Master's scouting type?"
She nodded, trying to accept it, but then something seemed to strike her. She whipped her head up and glared at me.
"Then how'd you show me that illusion back then?"
"That was my ability too."
"Dual ability user?"
I went full shameless mode.
There weren't tools to inspect what abilities someone had anyway.
Dual or multi-ability users were rare, but they existed.
As long as I didn't slip up, no one would catch on.
She furrowed her brow, trying to read my intent, but of course she couldn't.
Finally, she let out a small sigh.
"A scouting type with mental abilities on top. Why the hell hasn't the Association dragged someone like you to a lab and made you a counselor instead...?"
Oh shit, did I mess up?
They could drag me to a lab if the Association found out?
"Hey, the Association doesn't know I have scouting abilities, so could you keep it secret...?"
"...Aha?"
Her expression flipped 180 degrees, eyes gleaming, and a chill ran down my spine at the shift.
"Nah, don't worry. I'm not that bad. I wouldn't do that to my lifesaver, right?"
Jin Seohyeon grinned.
"Just answer my questions nicely, and we're good. Got it?"
Her deep golden eyes fixed on me.
Threatening her lifesaver was fine, huh?
The sorrow of the weak hit different.
I wanted to shove my fist in my mouth and sob.
"...What do you want to know?"
"Pfft!"
Jin Seohyeon suddenly burst out laughing.
I had no idea what was so funny as she slammed the table.
Once she finally calmed down, she wiped tears from her eyes.
"Wow, Uncle, you're hilarious. Am I really that scary? Come on, I was joking, and you're taking it as a real threat?"
I scratched my head awkwardly, and she sighed.
"You're constantly misunderstanding me, so let me get serious for a sec. I really came to thank you. I just wanted to clear up some curiosities on the side. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
Jin Seohyeon slowly shrugged off her coat.
Her hand went to the collar of her shirt, and she yanked it open.
Caught off guard by the sudden move, I glimpsed her collarbone and quickly looked away.
"Look here."
Was Jin Seohyeon some kind of flirt?
I had no clue what she wanted me to see, but her serious tone made me cautiously turn back.
My face hardened.
The yanked shirt stretched, fully exposing her right shoulder.
But that wasn't the point.
A jagged scar ran from her right shoulder to her armpit.
"I wasn't kidding about nearly dying. Thanks to you, I only lost an arm—but if it'd been a second later, it'd have been my head."
I stared at her with trembling eyes.
I'd misjudged because of her playful attitude, but her reason for seeking me out hadn't changed from the start.
To express her gratitude.
She was sincere enough to bare her body to convince me, who didn't believe her words.
"Let me say it again. You saved my life, Uncle. Thank you so much."
That smile made me feel guilty.
Back then, I'd been solo-clearing the gate and needed to conserve mana.
So I hadn't used my illusion at full power.
I'd arbitrarily decided it was enough.
And because of that, my illusion hadn't conveyed enough info to her.
If I'd known, she never would've gotten hurt like that.
Ironically, what saved Jin Seohyeon was purely her own wits.
What an idiot. Trying to maximize gains halfway like a moron.
If she'd died, I'd never have realized it.
I'd have made excuses—immature, bad luck—and mourned for a few days before forgetting.
My potential party member died.
And now that fool had the person she'd saved bowing in thanks.
"I'm sorry..."
"Huh? Uncle?"
If only I'd done it right.
Deep self-loathing forced apology after apology from my lips.
The more incoherent nonsense I spouted, the lower my head sank, until Jin Seohyeon sighed.
"Eek!"
My head was forcibly lifted.
Dazed by the sharp pain, I finally looked ahead.
Jin Seohyeon had tilted my head back with her ability, staring at me with dissatisfaction.
"I don't know what you're muttering about, but if you hadn't told me, I'd be dead for sure. So quit overthinking it."
"B-but..."
"Uncle."
"Yeah?"
"I'm right, so cut the bullshit."
"Yes."
I could feel the killing intent, so I stopped.
Was this how grateful people acted...?
"You're ruining the mood when I'm trying to be serious. Tsk."
She clicked her tongue and turned her head away.
Her expression didn't look that upset, though.
Her cheeks even seemed a bit flushed.
"Actually, I should've asked this first, but the timing's off now."
She composed herself seriously again and asked.
"Why'd you help me?"
It wasn't a hard question to dodge with some excuse.
But I opened my mouth, then closed it.
Her burning golden eyes were locked right on mine.
The words I'd prepared were a moral cop-out.
If my info could save a life, it was the right thing to do.
But that wasn't true.
A lot of my info involved lives at stake, and I hadn't rushed to save them.
Like with the Demon Worshippers.
If it might endanger me, I ignored it.
Plausible words, rational excuses.
She was the next S-rank.
Incurring a debt from her could benefit me somehow.
But that wasn't true either.
I'd never once planned to seek her out after saving her.
Our earlier talk flashed through my mind.
I hadn't saved Jin Seohyeon.
And yet she was telling me not to worry, accept the gratitude as her savior.
I could see the emotion in her eyes.
It wasn't hard to read.
She'd wanted my true feelings all along.
So I decided not to lie anymore.
"I've always wanted to form my own raid party someday."
No reaction.
Silent urging to continue.
"Not just any party—I want the world's best, the ideal one. It's still a vague goal; nothing's set in stone for timing or members. But every raid party needs at least one supporter."
My throat was dry, so I took a sip of coffee before going on.
She seemed to anticipate the rest.
Her eyes widened a bit.
"And when I think of the best supporter for me, only one person comes to mind."
The next S-rank hunter, Jin Seohyeon.
The ultimate utility ability user who made 'versatile' sound like an understatement.
I steadied my trembling voice, hoped my sincerity got through, and met her gaze without flinching.
"You. In my blank-slate plan, you were the only clear piece."
Was I even making sense? Could I keep going properly?
Embarrassing. My mind went blank.
If I said more, I'd regret it for sure.
But against my will, my open mouth wouldn't stop.
"I'm still E-rank, without the skills to form a party yet. But when enough time passes and I get stronger, I wanted to ask you."
Someday, whether it came or not.
The words I'd say if that moment arrived.
Would you join my raid party?
"That's why."
I wondered what my face looked like in a mirror right now.
No idea. But seeing hers, I could guess.
The simplest conclusion, which was why I hadn't wanted to voice it.
"I didn't want to see you die."
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Wished I could block my ears too.
This wasn't a confession—what the hell was I doing?
"...Pfft."
At that tiny sound, I cracked my eyes open,
and saw,
"Puhahaha! Hahaha!"
Jin Seohyeon slamming the table wildly before collapsing onto it.
She clutched her stomach, laughing like she might pass out.
I just closed my eyes again.
"Hoo, heh, huff, ha, ah, I'm dying. Pffft..."
Time to bolt.
Staying longer meant dying of embarrassment.
I tried to stand,
but
?
My body froze like a statue, not budging an inch.
"Hey, release the barrier!"
"An E-rank to someone about to hit S-rank... and from one of the Four Great Guilds, no less. Wow, you're the best."
"Fuck, release the barrier!"
"You're fucking hilarious. Uncle, you're the funniest person I've ever met."
"Hey, you bi—"
It took about an hour of forced humiliation before I was finally freed.
*
Returning home with my delicate feelings bruised, I had a message waiting.
[Crazy Bitch: 😂😂😂 Uncle, you make it home safe?]
The number exchange had been half-forced before I left.
That bitch—what a piece of work. Thinking about it still made my blood boil.
[Me: 🖕]
[Crazy Bitch: 🤣🤣🤣]
The reply came instantly.
I typed out a long rant, then reality crashed in hard and I deleted it all.
What the hell was I doing?
Sigh. Couldn't block her, so notifications off and ignore it is.
Checking my phone again, there were more messages.
[Crazy Bitch: Sent the reward money]
[Crazy Bitch: Check it]
What the...?
[Me: ?]
I fired up the banking app.
At the top of the transfer history, the latest deposit popped up,
and I slowly counted the zeros.
Ten thousand... hundred thousand... million...,
Gasp!
My hand went limp at the number I'd never seen before.
Thud. My smartphone hit the floor, but I couldn't pick it up—just trembled there as a notification appeared at the top of the screen.
[Crazy Bitch: 😎]