Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Prepare Yourself?
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Morning sunlight slanted through the window of the top-tier single patient room.
Han Yoo-jung sat by the bedside, clutching the white sheet tightly.
The potion's energy coursed through her veins, soothing her withered mana circuits.
"Hoo..."
Her condition had already improved by dawn.
The healers' focused treatment, plus the guild master going overboard and bringing an elixir.
She even felt stronger than before the kidnapping.
But separate from her physical recovery, the emotional scars lingered, refusing to heal easily.
'That damn mana seal... I need countermeasures too.'
Void Stone.
The substance that endlessly drained mana was the natural enemy of all Awakeners.
Physical types could manage, but priests or mages often fell pitifully to villains because of a single Void Stone.
But excuses wouldn't cut it.
As an S-Rank, the vice-guild master of one of Korea's top three guilds, she needed to prepare for such emergencies.
'Yoo Na-yeon melted those cuffs like nothing.'
The story of her letting the villain cuff her, then shattering his balls in a beatdown, was legendary.
That was tame.
There were even terrifying rumors of her suffering mana burnout in a gate and still smashing a Red Orc's thick skull with a stone.
No wonder she couldn't help comparing herself.
One was the dreaded Witch of Fire, villains trembling at her name; the other hid behind the Saintess title like a protected princess.
"......I don't want to lose to Yoo Na-yeon."
The words slipped from her lips.
Creak.
Speak of the devil.
The door swung open without a knock, and in strode a woman with flowing long hair and sunglasses.
Guards tried to stop her, but her booming voice echoing down the hall sent them scattering.
"Don't get in my way, move it! Don't you know who I am?"
The owner of that bold voice grinned at the crouched Han Yoo-jung.
It was Korea's rank 7, Yoo Na-yeon.
"Can't you read the 'Absolute Rest' sign?"
"I saw it."
"Then why'd you come in?"
"If I miss you, I come see you. Who can stop me? Oh, I brought apples? I'll peel one now."
Yoo Na-yeon shamelessly dragged a chair over and plopped down by the bed.
Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed a fruit knife from the nightstand.
"I peel apples real good."
Scrape, scrape.
Apple peel unspooled endlessly from her hand.
Surprisingly delicate work.
She blasted monsters to ash with fireballs usually, yet she had this knack for fine tasks.
"Still as reckless as ever."
"Thanks. You're the same too. Except for that venomous glare."
Yoo Na-yeon hummed a tune as she peeled.
Watching blankly, old memories surfaced.
Over a decade ago.
Han Yoo-jung and Yoo Na-yeon first met at an Awakener training facility.
Same age, both judged S-Rank.
But their training styles were polar opposites.
Yoo Na-yeon was a genius.
She'd extinguish wildfires with a gesture, solo an E-Rank gate and torch it clean.
Hated studying? She'd ditch for naps. Bored with training? Backtalk the instructors.
Yet she was strong.
Overwhelmingly so, beyond reproach.
[I don't do what I don't wanna! That's efficient, right?]
Young Yoo Na-yeon's catchphrase.
Learned later it mimicked her childhood friend, Lee Sang-hyuk.
Han Yoo-jung, meanwhile, was relentless.
The heavy Saintess title left no room for freedom.
Memorizing complex spells, pulling all-nighters healing, forced etiquette and speech for politics.
All the while, she stole glances at Yoo Na-yeon.
'Why does she look so happy?'
That free spirit was enviable.
While she bled from the nose over grimoires, laughter echoed from Yoo Na-yeon playing in the field.
Jealousy.
Envy, hate, yet admiration.
'I want to live like that too.'
She spent her teens that way.
"Here."
Yoo Na-yeon speared a bunny-shaped apple piece with a fork and offered it.
Adorably cute.
No wonder she couldn't hate her.
Rough exterior, but deep heart.
One of the few women you could trust not to backstab in this cutthroat Hunter world.
"Thanks."
Han Yoo-jung reached for it.
That instant.
Crunch.
Her hand froze midair.
The bunny apple vanished into Yoo Na-yeon's mouth.
"Mmm~ Sweetness check. Pass."
"......Excuse me? Wasn't that for the patient?"
"That's why I tasted it first. No one wants a dry, crumbly one."
Yoo Na-yeon casually speared another bunny and shoved it into Han Yoo-jung's mouth.
"Say ahh. Aah~"
"Ah..."
As she chewed obediently, Yoo Na-yeon poked her lips with more apple.
"Cut it out...!"
Juice burst in her mouth.
Sweet and delicious, for sure.
Yoo Na-yeon grinned and shrugged.
Impossible to hate this woman.
She picked the most annoying acts, yet showed care at key moments.
Even that was enviable.
Han Yoo-jung had to play the good girl, noble Saintess, ever conscious of eyes on her.
This woman lived authentically and people loved her.
Men flocking to Han Yoo-jung were scum.
Reject confessions, and rumors flew: sleeping with the Saintess, or she's a slut deep down.
They saw her not as woman Han Yoo-jung, but a trophy to claim.
Isolating from such creeps spawned lesbian rumors.
'I wanted to be strong like you, Yoo Na-yeon.'
So she gritted her teeth and competed.
Phoenix Guild cleared 10 A-Rank gates? Sanctuary Guild pushed for 11.
News of her 100 billion fortune? She pulled all-nighters studying stocks for 120 billion.
Saintess TV was part of that.
Now fans or politicians handled rumors without her asking.
Popularity, fandom firepower—there, she topped Yoo Na-yeon.
Her consolation.
'Lost again.'
This time, rescued too.
Maybe Lee Sang-hyuk ditched his meal for beloved Han Yoo-jung.
But the Saintess's mind wasn't that naive.
The Witch of Fire's tip let the pure youth reach her a second faster.
'Next time, I'll win.'
Han Yoo-jung remembered.
In fading consciousness, Lee Sang-hyuk's angry voice at the villain.
Pure rage.
'He came to save me. Got mad at the villain for me.'
Lee Sang-hyuk saved endangered Han Yoo-jung the person.
Not for wealth or fame.
How long since a man saved her selflessly?
Maybe first time.
A faint smile touched her apple-chewing lips.
Vitality sparked in Han Yoo-jung's eyes.
Not over yet.
Failed happy teens, but as a woman, the fight just began.
"......Yoo Na-yeon."
"What, more?"
"Don't let your guard down. I haven't lost yet."
At the sudden declaration of war, Yoo Na-yeon widened her eyes briefly.
Then smirked.
"Whatever. Eat your apple."
Yoo Na-yeon shoved another bunny apple forward.
Han Yoo-jung chomped it down.
Munch.
The Saintess's gaze burned fiercer than ever.
The next morning, Hunter Association headquarters lecture hall.
I punched in diligently again today.
"Sang-hyuk, roll your R a bit more. Keep your tongue from touching the roof of your mouth..."
The lesson came in a refined voice from my dedicated manager, Manager Park Seo-yoon.
No sultry office look today.
Crisp blouse, slacks, neat hair.
Of course, I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss yesterday's bold outfit visually, but purely for English study efficiency, this was better.
No distractions meant actual progress.
"Excuse me. Is there a convenience store nearby?"
"Are you rich? If not, get out. My time is gold."
The clock hit noon before I knew it.
"Good work. Sang-hyuk. But no joking in class."
"I was dead serious..."
Bang!!
Lunchtime, and the door flew open like yesterday.
'Déjà vu?'
But not Yoo Na-yeon this time.
"Yoo-jung?"
Han Yoo-jung.
Spotting me, she beamed and dashed over.
"Sang-hyuk! Thank you so much for yesterday!"
No brakes—she leaped straight into my arms.
Whoosh.
"Huh?"
I caught her on reflex.
Faint floral scent wafted.
Behind, Manager Park packing materials gasped.
"Y-Yoo-jung? Uh... yesterday must've been rough?"
Seemed the Saintess was fragile after the kidnapping.
As I patted her, she looked up from my embrace.
Her eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Huh? No? Just wanted to hug you."
"......Pardon?"
"Pfft. Kidding. Yesterday was hell. Being a Saintess isn't for just anyone, you know?"
She giggled, pulling away.
True enough.
Stalkers alone would break normals; a villain group aiding one? Horrific.
Strong front, but inside hurting.
"Sorry, Yoo-jung."
"Huh?"
"You commissioned stalker removal multiple times. I didn't even read them, just told my manager to toss 'em..."
Sure, I study English as I please.
No one can force help.
But acquaintances? Different story.
Not the first rescue—now she was an acquaintance.
"Nah. Manager did her job. You're busy too—focus on your stuff! No need to feel bad. You saved me in the end."
Innocent smile.
After that ordeal, her comforting me stirred a need to repay.
"Yoo-jung. Exchange contacts?"
"Pardon...?"
Han Yoo-jung blinked in surprise.
"Remember my promise? Lee Sang-hyuk daily usage right. To use it, you need my number."
I pulled out my phone, unlocked, and offered.
She stared blankly, then covered her mouth shyly smiling.
"Ooh! Can I really? I was gonna call it even for the rescue."
Saying that tempts me to.
But Blue Vest pride held.
"Use it anytime. It's your right—claim it properly."
"Then... I will."
Her fair cheeks flushed.
"Prepare yourself? Sang-hyuk."
"......Pardon?"
What for, that she needs me braced?
A chill ran down my spine.