Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: I Want Papa, Not Daddy...
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Cheok Yunhwa.
The S-Rank Hunter that no one in Korea could possibly be unaware of.
Her name was constantly popping up on TV and social media. She wasn't just conquering dungeons—she was starring in commercials and ads everywhere, a living superstar.
I'd thought she was a beauty even through the screen, but seeing her in person proved that was a grave underestimate.
A beauty the camera couldn't capture.
No, her face and figure were so flawlessly sculpted they made the word "human" feel inadequate.
She was a goddess, radiating an allure that instinctively overwhelmed any man who laid eyes on her.
"Are you... the one who came to counsel me today?"
Her low, haughty voice tickled my ears.
Her golden eyes flicked over me, and she slowly turned from the window with its sweeping city view, settling onto the sofa across from mine.
I was just starting to approach and offer a greeting when—
"Please leave."
"...Pardon?"
The abrupt declaration caught me off guard.
No, was she rejecting therapy before we even began?
Without even looking at me, she said coldly,
"It's no use. Countless famous counselors have tried to 'help' me so far, but it was all for nothing."
"Still, I haven't even—"
"And... a male counselor, of all things. Sigh..."
She let out a deep sigh, pressing a hand to her temple.
"My subordinates' intentions are so obvious. They sent you as eye candy, didn't they?"
"...Excuse me?"
"A handsome guy who looks obedient, the type who just smiles quietly. It's obvious they sent you as some kind of... stress-relief male doll, under the guise of comfort?"
"......Pardon?!"
...Wait a second.
Was she seriously calling me a stress-relief gigolo dressed up as a doctor?
Hey, I graduated from Seoul National University Medical School. I passed the national licensing exam—I'm a real doctor!
Sure, I was a total rookie who barely got through internship, but my license was legit.
In psych classes, they'd warned us about this.
Some patients resent counselors or hurl insults, so be prepared to brush off the humiliation with a smile.
But.
I never expected misunderstandings like this.
"Sorry, but I'm still a 'virgin' at this. I have zero interest in that sort of thing, so I'll pass."
Somehow, I'd overheard info no doctor should hear.
She delivered it deadpan, then didn't even glance my way anymore.
...This situation wasn't going anywhere with a direct approach.
I pondered for a moment, then recalled one item from the questionnaire she'd filled out before our session.
That questionnaire.
It was the official Hunter-specific mental health intake form, stamped with the government seal.
One checkbox item from the checklist:
"I become a pathetic mess, scared stiff, when a muscular man raises his voice at me."
Very much so (5 points)
I had no choice but to do it, purely for 'medical purposes.'
"Cheok Yunhwa!"
"?!"
I bellowed, deliberately loud enough to seem rude.
She jumped, whipping around to face me.
"Sorry for the late introduction. I'm Kim Seungbin, officially appointed by the Association as your male psychiatrist. And this is my first impression? Treating me like a gigolo? Honestly, that pisses me off!"
"Ah... W-Was that your concept...? I just thought..."
"Here's my medical license. Does this clear things up?"
I pulled it from my jacket pocket and slapped it—practically threw it—onto the table in front of her.
Cheok Yunhwa's face stiffened the instant she saw it, her lips beginning to quiver faintly.
...It was an absurd sight.
The S-Rank Hunter hailed as a national asset.
The legend herself, flinching at one man's raised voice.
There was only one reason she was terrified right now.
Psychological trauma from being overwhelmed by a muscular man's harsh tone.
Having read the questionnaire beforehand, I knew exactly how she'd react.
So I had to keep the momentum going.
If I wanted to get to the real counseling, anyway.
I have no idea why the psych intake even had that item... And Cheok Yunhwa casually checking it off like it's nothing? She's something else.
Only after laying into her did she finally acknowledge me as a 'doctor,' letting me sit across from her.
Of course, with her golden eyes brimming with tears and her timid fidgeting, she looked nothing like the majestic S-Rank Hunter anymore.
Still, a counseling session was a counseling session.
She was the patient, and I was the doctor.
"Cheok Yunhwa, did you do something wrong today?"
"Wr-Wrong...?"
"Yes. If you've done something wrong, don't be embarrassed—apologize honestly."
"......!"
Another item from the questionnaire flashed in my mind.
"Am I a pathetic type who loves confessing my mistakes to strong men and getting praised?"
She'd given that one a full '5 points' too.
"I'm sorry... I mistook you, sir, for... just some gigolo..."
"Good. Don't let it happen again."
"I'm... I'm just a 'pathetic bitch' who can't even judge properly!"
"......Huh?"
No, you don't need to trash yourself that hard?
I was a bit shocked, but I rolled with it.
Flow was key in counseling.
Gone was her initial icy demeanor; now she looked like a meek puppy with her head hung low.
Tears welling up, just like a scolded child.
A patient who craves praise...
I cautiously patted her head.
Purely to build doctor-patient trust. No ulterior motives, of course.
"Yes, you did great. Next time you mess up, just say so like this. Got it?"
"...Y-Yes, sir!"
She nodded, cheeks flushing pink.
"Hee hee hee..."
Was this the reaction of a thirty-year-old woman?
At this point, I wondered if I was conducting some bizarre therapy, but whatever.
If the patient was happy, it worked.
Then, Cheok Yunhwa hesitantly spoke up.
"Um... Counselor? Can I ask you one question?"
"Of course."
The patient initiating a question was a hugely positive shift.
Especially since just minutes ago, she'd tried to kick me out.
"Do you... have a family, Counselor?"
"Family? Well... no blood relatives. I grew up in an orphanage and just started living on my own."
Her face darkened at that for some reason.
She quickly realized the question was impolite, bowing her head in apology.
"If that upset you, I'm truly sorry! It's just... I wonder if my condition has something to do with family issues..."
"It's fine. Thanks for sharing. Could you tell me more about the problem?"
I asked seriously, and after hesitating, she murmured softly,
"...I need a Papa."
"Pardon?"
What did she say?
I thought I'd misheard.
Papa?
Paparazzi?
Paprika?
Or... no way, that papa?
The word toddlers use with their lispy pronunciation of 'daddy'?
"So... you miss your father?"
I double-checked, suspecting father-related trauma, but—
"Not father or daddy..."
Cheok Yunhwa shook her head, her face turning bright red.
Her golden eyes shimmered with shy moisture as she confessed,
"I want to be with a Papa... who I can act spoiled with..."
"?????"
Everyone has secrets.
And people desperately want to hide theirs.
But the more secrets you have to bury, the more cracks form in the jar you're stuffing them into.
And if rats start sniffing around those cracks, it's only a matter of time before it shatters.
Just like today.
Cheok Yunhwa had gone through exactly sixteen psychiatrists in the past three months.
Among them were top domestic names and even renowned overseas experts.
And that was the worst possible move for Moonlight Sword House.
They could hush up domestic hires somehow, but foreign doctors? Different story.
Outsiders could sell the 'secret' and bolt without a care—especially those overseas factions who'd always resented Cheok Yunhwa.
Throw in fat compensation, and they could live lavishly without ever seeing another patient. Temptation doesn't get sweeter.
And so, it blew up.
"Word is Moonlight Sword House's Guild Leader, Cheok Yunhwa, has been in psych treatment lately."
"Psych counseling? That big-dumb musclehead?"
"Haha, no wonder she vanished from the scene... This is getting interesting."
This room was nominally the 'Unofficial Meeting Hall of the Four Great Guild Leaders,' but in truth, it was the secret lair of the three old-guard guild leaders who'd long claimed to be the roots of Korea's Hunter world.
They'd always huddled together under banners like 'tradition,' 'lineage,' 'bloodlines,' and 'Hunter spirit,' scheming away as relics of power.
The three at the center were:
First, the elder of Iron Mountain Unyielding Guild, possessor of monstrous strength said to cleave dungeons in half with a single shout.
Second, the current president of White Tiger Alliance, a martial arts geek who showed up to meetings in training robes.
Third, the delusional head of Azure Dragon Pavilion, who mandated 'bishoujo cosplay' for all guild members.
And there was one being they all hated with a passion: Cheok Yunhwa.
Everything about her disgusted them.
No lineage, no tradition—just raw specs letting her barge in and claim the top spot, yapping about 'blood of the War God' while doing it... Utterly arrogant.
Plus, when she'd founded her guild and come demanding "Where's my tribute~?" like some bully, they'd humiliated her in front of her own members, beating her bloody and sending her crawling away.
Since that 'incident,' these three had been plotting revenge—and now opportunity knocked.
Cheok Yunhwa couldn't even draw her sword right now?
An S-Rank in that state?
Korea's strongest Hunter?
What good was a lunatic S-Rank?
"Let's finish her off for good this time."
"Sounds good. Hahaha...!"
"Heh, how about a wager? Loser makes her strip naked in Gwanghwamun Square and shake her ass doing the shameful Omankko dance!"
"Puhaha! Deal! Just imagining it is killer!"
Ha ha, heh heh, kekeke, hahaha...
The woman who'd once beaten them senseless—now they could make her strut naked, hips thrusting.
The meeting room filled with mad cackles at the thought.