Chapter 33

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 33

Chapter Title: New Guild Member, New Storm

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Somehow, my mind felt hazy.

But it wasn't uncomfortable.

Something soft and warm was gently embracing me.

"Uuuungh..."

Just like when I acted spoiled in Grandma's arms.

Unconsciously, I snuggled deeper into the embrace that enveloped me.

Hee, this feels nice.

But what on earth is this?

Did we have a blanket this fluffy at home?

I'm pretty sure we only had worn-out ones.

And it smells so good, too.

Just like the warm, sunny scent from the blankets Grandma used to air out in the yard.

"Hayang-nim, are you awake?"

The voice that followed felt like it was trying to rouse me.

I immediately shook my head sulkily.

"Uungh, just three more minutes..."

"Understood. Please sleep a bit longer."

"Yesss... Huh?"

she gave up right away, so I smirked to myself and was about to savor this sweet nap a little more.

That was when I finally sensed something was off.

Come to think of it, whose voice is this?

There's no one at home but me to begin with.

A thief maybe?

But they know my name.

More than that, it sounds familiar somehow...

"Gasp!"

My hazy mind cleared in an instant, washed clean.

My drooping eyes snapped wide open once more.

At the same time, I bolted upright like a spring.

"Wh-where is this...?!"

The first thing that caught my eye was the scenery of a pristine room.

And the room was enormous.

Probably even bigger than ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠our living room.

Maybe even larger than our living room and bedroom combined.

"...Hayang-nim?"

"Eh?!"

While I was lost in admiration for the magnificent room, my head snapped toward the familiar yet somehow unfamiliar voice.

There stood a silver-haired woman.

A short distance from the bed.

Gazing down at me, tilting her head quizzically.

The Sword Empress, why is she here?!

"Y-Yuseol-nim?"

"Yes. Have you come to your senses? You slept so soundly—must have been exhausted."

"Me? Ah...!"

Right.

After defeating the Ice Dragon, I suddenly blacked out.

It felt like the power in my head just cut off with a snap.

"More importantly, where is this?"

"My house. I was going to take you home, but I didn't know your address."

"Sorry. Uh, calling me Hayang-nim..."

She's older than me, so that's fine.

But hearing Han Yuseol attach -nim to my name felt so awkward.

I fidgeted with my hands and pointed out her speech.

Han Yuseol smiled softly and perched on the edge of the bed.

"Because you've saved me so much, Hayang-nim."

"S-saved?"

Did I do something that amazing?

I vaguely remember mumbling something in the gate.

But right after waking up, my memories are a bit fuzzy.

I don't think I did anything particularly grand.

"If it's because I helped you somehow..."

"No. It's not just about saving my life—though I'm grateful for that too."

Her figure, hand placed over her chest as she spoke calmly, was like...

A dashing knight from a fairy tale book.

Her actual speech and aura gave off that vibe too.

"Besides, you're now the one I must serve like a master. Manners are in order."

"M-master?"

"Yes. Do you not remember?"

"Remember...? Ah!"

Only then did I snap to my senses and hurriedly check my status window.

Yaaaaah, right!

That's when Han Yuseol's unique skill manifested on me!

I don't know the exact mechanism.

But it seems like this has bound her to me.

What do I even do about this?!

Just in case, I checked Han Yuseol's skills too.

And even the skill names had changed.

"S-sorry!"

"Pardon? Why apologize..."

"B-because your unique skill got bound to me."

Han Yuseol could solo gates fine without a unique skill originally.

But having her hard-earned unique skill bound to some kid was a whole different story.

How should I compensate for this?

With money maybe?

But she has way more money than me...?!

Ah, right!

I have distribution money coming from the Layered Gate!

Yeah, once that comes in, maybe I can somehow compensate!

As I flailed around yelling to myself, Han Yuseol finally spoke up, unable to watch.

"Hayang-nim, please calm down first."

"But how much should I give you... Ah, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠okay."

Only then did I regain my composure and sat demurely on the bed again.

"First off, regarding the unique skill, I actually want to express my gratitude."

"Gratitude?"

"Yes. Truth be told, that unique skill was like my final wall of defense. It symbolized my resolve to live unbound by anyone from then on."

"Aha...!"

I see.

She probably knew how to manifest it.

But held back, fearing it might create another bond with someone.

Or maybe she just hadn't found a worthy person to link it to.

"I knew a way to grow even stronger, yet I couldn't choose it. Because of my own weakness. But you were the first to shatter that for me, Hayang-nim."

"I'm not sure I did anything that incredible..."

"To me, it was more than enough."

The Sword Empress gently caressed my fingertips with her hand—easily twice the size of mine—and smiled softly.

I never knew she could smile like this.

"From the day I lost my family, from the day I lost my comrades, I cared nothing for protection. I simply sought to slay one more monster, to find the place where I would die."

"N-no, don't say such awful things!"

"Don't worry. Thanks to you, Hayang-nim, those thoughts have changed."

Huh? Because of me?

"When you said those words earlier, it had been so long since I thought that way. I wanted to protect this brave yet small and fragile child."

"I-I'm not that small..."

Ugh, did she have to add "small"?

"Fragile" doesn't sit well either.

But with stats like these, it's kinda true.

I shot her a slightly pouty glare.

She apologized with a 'My apologies.'

But she absolutely refused to take back her words.

She's definitely thinking I'm small deep down.

Hmph, hmph.

Just wait till I hit puberty. You'll be shocked.

...Though I didn't grow much back then either.

Still, it was on par with the other girls.

But who knows this time!

"That's precisely why I'm not at all displeased to serve you, Hayang-nim. Quite the opposite—it's joyful. So there's no need to feel sorry toward me."

"R-really? You're not mad?"

"Yes, of course."

"Th-then it's okay if I don't give you money?"

"...Money?"

"Yes."

What, she reacts to money after all.

She does want it, huh?!

Just admit it!

"...Not to brag, but I have more than enough to live on for life. I'm not so bad as to take a child's snot-nosed money."

"I-it's not snot-nosed money! It's what I earned working hard in gates...!"

Her tone made it sound like allowance begged from parents.

I raised my voice, and Han Yuseol chuckled as she replied.

"Then all the more reason I can't accept it. It's precious money earned with your sweat, Hayang-nim."

"Is that how it is?"

"Yes, exactly. So no need for needless worries."

"Phew."

Good.

She didn't take my money.

If Han Yuseol had gotten mad like 'What are you going to do about my unique skill because of you!'

I would've been so scared I'd yelp 'Eek! I'll compensate with money!'

And handed it over like those families hounded by debt collectors in dramas.

she's a good person.

Still, she's effectively lost a unique skill.

Is she really okay with that?

Or can she release the skill and link it to someone else?

"Um, Yuseol-nim."

"Feel free to call me casually. No need for honorifics."

"Ah, n-no. That's a little..."

No matter what, banmal to an adult? No way.

Grandma always said to use honorifics with elders.

Except for Grandma herself, that is.

"Even so, your unique skill is gone. Is that really okay? Without me, you can't use it anymore..."

"What are you saying? There's a very clear solution for that."

"Solution...?"

Such a thing exists?

What, why didn't you say so earlier!

I worried for nothing!

I nearly pouted.

But grateful she'd told me eventually, my eyes sparkled.

I asked what it was with my gaze.

Han Yuseol stared back, then burst out laughing with a 'Pfft' and looked away.

Did she just mock me?!

My mind crumbled with a thud.

I didn't think she'd openly laugh in front of me.

That's too much.

"Anyway, the solution is simple. The core issue is that I can't use my unique skill when you're not by my side, right?"

"Y-yeah...?"

"Then if I only fight at your side, Hayang-nim, it's resolved."

"...Huh?"

I wanted to say 'What kind of nonsense is that!'

But as I listened, it strangely started making sense.

Eh, really?

Well, with me around, she can always use her unique skill.

So just fight by my side.

"You were affiliated with Titan, right?"

"No. That time was as a mercenary... Right now, I'm running a one-person guild."

"Even better then. If I join that guild and become guild master and member, wouldn't it be much more convenient?"

"Gasp!"

Me as guild master?

Well, I am now, but...

Someone actually treating me like the guild master?

That would be the best!

Totally cool!

"Then I'll get called master too?!"

"If that's what you wish... Shall I call you Master from now on?"

"Wow! Yes!"

Me, Master! Master!

The thrilling title made ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my body shiver.

I'd always watched Jeong Yujin call Choi Geonwoo "Master."

It looked so cool, and I'd been secretly jealous.

Now I have a guild member calling me Master too!

"Yuseol-nim! Call me one more time!"

"If it's that much, I'll call you plenty from now on. But first, you should check your messages."

"Huh? Messages?"

I turned at Han Yuseol's words, and my phone on the bedside table caught my eye.

Huh, tons of messages.

From where?

Sender... Huh?

[Uncle Geonwoo] - Hayang-ah

[Uncle Geonwoo] - Call your uncle when you see the message

[Uncle Geonwoo] - (photo)

[Uncle Geonwoo] - Got something to ask about this

It was Choi Geonwoo right away.

The urgency in the messages aside.

I tilted my head at the attached photo at the bottom.

What is this?

Click.

What appeared next was some news article.

Together with a headline praising Han Yuseol's feat was an attached photo.

It captured me asleep in her arms as she exited the gate.