Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Conversations
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'This is awkward.'
Of course, I couldn't just jump straight into the 2nd-grade exam.
The registration had already closed.
There was quite a gap until the next one, so I tried asking just in case, but as expected, it was impossible.
Thud, thud.
Walking along the sunset-tinged road, I lost myself in thought.
Today was the first time I'd seen someone else do alchemy.
Observing how the others worked had solidified the guesses I'd been making all this time.
'The recipe information is way scarcer than I thought.'
Thanks to finishing my assignment early, I'd had the leisure to watch the other examinees.
My conclusion from observing them was simple.
They didn't know the 'exact recipes.'
Alchemy wasn't without variables, but there was definitely a 'proper path' close to the orthodox method.
Yet their hand movements were somehow off the mark.
It felt like they were mechanically mimicking rote-learned motions rather than creating with an understanding of the principles.
And this was just for the most basic 3rd-grade assignment.
If the commonly known recipes were at that level, the higher-grade ones were obvious without seeing them.
Lost in thought as I walked, I found myself home before I knew it.
I took a quick shower and flopped onto the bed.
Objectively speaking, this schedule had been pretty much a failure.
My real goal in getting certified was to procure elixir materials, and for that, I needed at least 2nd-grade.
But I wasn't in a bad mood.
I idly picked up my smartphone and opened the notes app.
A folder caught my eye, where I'd organized game knowledge by category.
I tapped one of them.
[Alchemy Recipes]
Right after possession, I'd jotted down everything I could remember, and now there were hundreds of formulas piled up.
This knowledge in my hands might be far more valuable than I'd imagined.
Once a week, the day I went to the Association as a counselor.
It was a fake identity for cover, but with no Association missions for a while, I was starting to feel confused about my role.
Was I actually employed as a real counselor?
And today, there was a client who would only deepen that dilemma.
I glanced at the chart, then turned my gaze to the woman in front of me.
"How have you been?"
The Association's exclusive A-rank hunter and active idol.
Cha Jiye fidgeted under my gaze before suddenly bowing her head deeply.
"I'm sorry!"
"Pardon? Suddenly?"
This was our first meeting since I'd counseled her at the press conference.
As I made a bewildered face, Cha Jiye continued in a tiny voice.
"...The rescue team. I was supposed to go, but you stepped in as a substitute and got hurt..."
"Ah."
My role on the rescue team had been as a mental support supporter.
Cha Jiye had been the ideal choice, but she couldn't be reached due to her schedule, so the offer came to me.
Cha Jiye was feeling guilty over something she didn't need to take responsibility for.
Sensing her peculiar conviction, I let out a wry internal smile.
"Lift your head. If anything, I'm grateful to you."
"Huh?"
"Thanks to you, I could save my friend."
"Your friend? ...Ah, Jin Seohyun."
Cha Jiye let out a small gasp, then looked puzzled.
She must not understand how I'd saved Jin Seohyun.
The articles had spun it as Jin Seohyun escaping the Endless Abyss and incidentally rescuing me.
Who'd believe a D-rank saved an S-rank?
"Anyway, how have things been lately?"
Cha Jiye glanced at my expression, then averted her eyes and straightened her posture.
She'd understood the silent signal.
We returned to a normal conversation.
Time as client and counselor only.
I lacked professional counseling knowledge, but it didn't matter much.
What she wanted wasn't grand advice, but someone she could show her weakness to.
Besides, I had a surefire prescription only I could provide.
"So, as an example... I've decided to sue the ones who crossed the line. But no matter how much I steel myself, actually seeing those comments with my own eyes... it's still not easy."
"Don't agencies or legal teams usually handle that? You don't need to check the hate comments yourself."
"These are stones thrown at me. I can't just hide behind others because I don't want to get hit. I have to check how sharp the stones are myself before going after the thrower. I think it's my share to bear."
Her strong sense of responsibility drew an involuntary admiration from me.
If her voice hadn't been trembling like a goat's, it would've been twice as touching.
"So you'll go back and look at the hate comments again?"
"...Yes."
Her answer was resolute, but her expression was like a cow being led to slaughter.
I asked lightly.
"Before you go, want me to use my ability like last time?"
"............Yes."
After an eternity of silence, came the affirmation.
Moments later, the footsteps of someone who had left the counseling room with slumped shoulders turned lively in an instant.
Pat pat pat pat!
The sound of vigorous sprinting down the hall echoed, followed by a booming roar from the end of the corridor.
"Those hate-comment bastards are all screwed—!"
"Hm."
Listening to the fading voice, I took a sip of my freshly brewed mixed coffee.
One case solved today, too.
It was time to clock out, so I left the counseling center.
Normally, I'd head straight out of the Association building.
But today, there was someone I needed to meet before going home.
Taking the elevator to the meeting spot, Kang Jiwon was already there waiting for me.
Seeing her in her impeccably neat suit made my conscience prick a little.
"I know I called you out, but... it's past quitting time. You okay?"
"It's not because of you, Han Yujin. Work's been piling up lately, so overtime is my routine. ...Hm?"
It didn't sound like lip service. Fatigue laced her voice thickly.
But mid-sentence, Kang Jiwon suddenly curled her lips into a smile.
"Come to think of it, it is your fault, Han Yujin. We're suffering like this cleaning up after that last incident. How are you going to take responsibility?"
"...For real?"
"Kidding. It's really that wanted criminal's fault."
So the rumor was true.
The story that the Association had secretly mobilized to hunt the 'Plunderer.'
The way she said it meant there were results.
"Did you catch that wanted criminal?"
But contrary to my expectation, Kang Jiwon trailed off with a troubled look.
"We captured most of the underlings alive, but... the main guy himself is unidentifiable now."
Strange phrasing. Not missing or unknown status, but unidentifiable?
"...One of the Association's S-rank hunters took the field personally. He had a personal grudge against the guy."
"Ah."
Yeom Jehyun, the other Association-exclusive S-rank besides Nam Soyul.
The one with the most destructive firepower had moved.
The aftermath was obvious without seeing it.
No concern for holding back, resulting in such devastation that even the body couldn't be identified.
"He reported missing the target, but... who knows. From the scene's carnage, it doesn't look like he even had a chance to flee, let alone collect his bones."
Kang Jiwon's queasy expression suggested he'd really gone wild.
He was already top 3 on the list of S-ranks you don't want to meet, and this story solidified it.
Then a sudden question occurred to me.
"But even if it's over, is it okay to tell me this?"
"It's not hugely important. And I thought you should know, Han Yujin."
"Pardon?"
"That hunter said he wants to meet the victim directly. Seems like he wants to ask about the wanted criminal. He might contact you too."
"... ."
God, I hope not.
I pushed the worry to the back of my mind and looked at Kang Jiwon.
This wasn't today's main topic.
"Can I visit the alchemy workshop contracted with the Association?"
"Do you have an item to commission? Tell me, and I'll pass it on to the workshop."
As Kang Jiwon pulled out a pen to take notes, I waved my hand.
"No, I mean I want to tour it, literally."
At that, her brows furrowed.
"...That's a tough request. As you know, alchemists are extremely sensitive about tech leaks. The workshop won't let outsiders in, regardless of our say."
"Then could I at least meet a Meister? I just got my 3rd-grade cert, and I have some personal advice I want to seek."
"Hmm..."
Kang Jiwon fell silent in distress before answering with a shallow sigh.
"I'll put in the request, but... don't get your hopes up."
That was enough. I thanked Kang Jiwon briefly.
Business done.
Before standing, I tossed out a casual question to Kang Jiwon.
"By the way, what happened with the Red Potion case? The blonde must've confessed, so they caught the culprit, right?"
And her response wasn't light.
"He's dead."
"Pardon?"
"The day after his talk with you, Han Yujin, he was found in his holding cell with his throat half-severed. Autopsy said instant death, no time to resist."
"...Wasn't he in Association custody? You saying someone broke through all security to assassinate an A-rank criminal?"
She nodded gravely.
"No signs of intrusion. No leads, so the investigation's basically stalled."
...It left a bitter, unsettled aftertaste.