Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Don't Abandon Hayang!
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After confirming that my phone worked normally inside the gate.
After running several tests, we headed straight out of the gate.
Ah, but there was something I had to do first.
I completely forgot about it.
"Yuseol! Mind if I make a quick call?"
"Of course. I'll wait."
After getting Han Yuseol's permission, I quickly dialed Choi Geonwoo.
He must have been fiddling with his phone, because he picked up right away.
- Yeah, what's up?
Usually, people say "hello" first, right?
It was like he'd been waiting for my call.
"Uncle! Sorry to bother you when you're probably busy..."
- Cut it out. I was just resting. Anyway, what's going on? It's rare for you to call first.
Huh, have I really never called Choi Geonwoo first?
Yeah, come to think of it, I haven't.
I only called when there was something really urgent.
Now that I think about it, it feels embarrassing, like I only call when I need something.
I should call more often from now on.
"Yeah. Um, do you think people would buy a gate guide if I made one?"
- ...What?
I could feel Choi Geonwoo's confusion loud and clear, even over the phone.
Well, yeah, it was pretty shocking.
Me suddenly announcing I'd write a gate guide out of nowhere.
He probably thought it was nonsense.
There was a long silence, and I thought the call had dropped.
But fortunately, his voice came through a moment later.
- If the info's legit, people would buy it. Hell, they'd beg for it.
"That's a relief!"
- You're seriously planning to make a gate guide?
"Yeah, that's the plan for now. But it'll probably take a while."
- You're not saying it's impossible, huh.
"Ehehe..."
I let out an embarrassed laugh.
I'm not an idiot.
If it were impossible, I wouldn't even try.
I think it's possible. Probably.
- If you actually make this guide, we'll need to verify it.
"Verify it?"
- Yeah. Someone to test it out and double-check the info while exploring based on your guide.
"Ah!"
Right. I hadn't thought of that.
Of course, I planned to run around gates with Han Yuseol to verify things.
But that doesn't guarantee 100% accuracy.
I might miss something.
Unexpected variables could pop up.
In the end, more verification is needed, but the two of us have our limits.
- We'll handle that on our end.
"Huh? Really?"
- Yeah. It's info other hunters will use, so we need to check its usefulness beforehand to avoid issues. Plus, if it makes our explorations easier, that's a win for us.
I worried it might be too much trouble for them.
But his last words made sense.
Mutual benefit, you know.
Mutual benefit?
Something feels off.
Was it mutual aid?
Either way, no reason for me to refuse.
"Sounds good!"
- Great. By the way, is Han Yuseol there?
"Yeah, she is. Want me to pass the phone?"
- Please.
Did he have something to say to her too?
I handed over the phone, and Han Yuseol responded with a simple "Yes."
- The stuff I asked for has been slow lately.
"...Are you some kind of loan shark?"
- You were the one who brought it up first. I'd appreciate it if you didn't unilaterally break the deal and paint me as the bad guy.
"Sigh, fine. I'll send it today."
- Good.
Huh? Send what?
The call ended abruptly after that short exchange.
I hurried over and tugged lightly at Han Yuseol's sleeve as I asked.
"Yuseol, did you have some kind of promise with Uncle?"
"Pardon? Oh, that... um..."
"Huh?"
Why is she so flustered?
Her cheeks look a bit red too.
Gasp, no way...?!
'Are the two of them... like that?!'
This reaction is a dead giveaway!
I haven't dated myself, but I've been catching up on romance comics lately, so I'm an expert!
Besides, even I think Choi Geonwoo is super handsome.
He's capable, has that ruggedly good-looking face.
And above all, great personality.
Yeah, a bit blunt, but he's perfect husband material.
Huh?
But if Han Yuseol likes Choi Geonwoo...
What happens to me?
She'd want to go to Titan Guild then.
Leaving me all alone?
I don't like that.
"Ugh..."
"M-Master? What's wrong? Your face just went pale."
I pouted, and Han Yuseol rushed over, checking on me worriedly.
But my lips stayed stubbornly pursed.
Forcing down my emotions.
Clutching her sleeve tightly with one hand.
I looked up at her with a face on the verge of tears.
"Yuseol... Are you leaving me...?"
"Leaving? What do you mean?"
"I thought maybe you wanted to go to Titan."
"W-What are you talking about all of a sudden? Why would I leave you, Master, for Titan...?"
Instead, Han Yuseol looked even more flustered as she asked back.
Huh? It's not that?
Her reaction suggests otherwise.
Or maybe she's reacting like this because I saw through her feelings.
"W-Well, I thought maybe you liked Uncle."
"......Pardon?"
"Your reaction earlier, falling for Uncle and ditching me for Titan... Hic?!"
Before I could finish.
Han Yuseol grabbed my shoulders hard enough to make a sound.
Startled, I looked up at her.
There was Han Yuseol staring back with a perfect blank expression.
Not angry, not crying, not smiling.
Even though there was no emotion visible.
It felt scarier than facing the ice dragon on the 3rd layer.
"...Master. If I may be so bold, please don't think like that. I'm begging you, sincerely."
"Y-Yes..."
In that moment, I realized.
Even I, as oblivious as I am, had no choice but to notice.
Without a doubt.
Han Yuseol had not even an ant's tear worth of feelings for Choi Geonwoo.
...So what was that conversation earlier about?
They decided to eat the packed lunch outside.
The two settled in a nearby park.
"I'll dig in...!"
"Yes, enjoy your meal, Master."
Haah, watching Hayang stuff a sandwich into her mouth in one go.
Han Yuseol smiled proudly, while struggling to calm her still-racing heart.
'To think it'd lead to that kind of misunderstanding.'
When Hayang asked if she was going to leave her.
Her heart had sunk straight to her gut.
It felt like it dropped all the way down, then bounced back up.
'My fault.'
She thought living together with Hayang had built a strong bond and trust.
But it seemed Hayang still harbored some lingering anxiety.
'I forgot she saved me, overlooked that Master is still a child.'
Only twelve years old.
And lost her only family at seven.
Of course, she'd endured the nightmare of losing her own family too.
But she was already an adult then.
She could muster the will to keep going somehow.
But this child was different.
At an age without the mental maturity to tie herself together after trauma.
No one around to comfort her either.
She'd only shown a mature side until now, making her forget.
But that wound must still be unhealed, lingering in a corner.
Her anxiety just now was proof.
'This is all because of that Titan Guild Master, that jerk.'
As Han Yuseol turned her self-blame outward.
The target was none other than Choi Geonwoo.
If he had something to say, he could've called separately.
Why bring it up right in front of Hayang?
Beating around the bush to hide it led to this weird misunderstanding.
"Yuseol! Yuseol."
"Yes? Did you call me?"
As she sighed deeply.
Hayang suddenly tugged her sleeve again, startling her—probably PTSD from earlier—as she replied.
"This sandwich is amazing! The best!"
"I'm glad it suits your taste."
"Hehe, no bell peppers either, totally my style. I want it again next time."
Actually, there were bell peppers.
She'd finely minced them into the thick ham in the sandwich.
Fortunately, it went unnoticed.
'Picky eating isn't good.'
Sorry to Hayang, but.
This was for her own good.
"I'll make it again next time. Oh, have this drink too."
"Yes!"
She opened the can for Hayang, who couldn't manage it, and handed it over.
Hayang gulped it down eagerly.
Then chomped back into the sandwich.
Her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.
Click-
Han Yuseol snapped a photo, gazing fondly.
Hayang noticed midway and looked up with a "Huh?"
That was so cute, she took another.
Click-
Fortunately, Hayang didn't mind photos much.
No need to sneak them.
She could point-blank camera at her with no fuss.
'Well, I did ask first.'
Satisfied with the new addition to her gallery.
Han Yuseol finally opened her messenger and texted Choi Geonwoo.
Attaching the photo she'd just taken.
(Photo)
You nearly made Master cry because of you.
Consider this the last one.
?
The reply came back full of question marks.
But Han Yuseol didn't respond, simply turning off her phone.
(Master) - 152 photos
"Ahem..."
She already had a mountain of unsent Hayang photos.
But that was his karma, nothing to do with her.
Still, it was a shame to delete the ones she'd taken, so she tucked them away in a secret folder.
"Nyaaang!"
"C-Cat?! Where'd you— Whoa! Don't jump on meee!"
Click-
One more added.
"Yuseol! Help instead of taking pictures!"
"Sorry, Master."
That evening, back home.
The new pajamas had arrived, and after photographing Hayang in them.
The gallery count quietly updated to 170.