Chapter 140
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Catastrophe
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"Sleeping?"
[Zzz...]
It had passed out cold.
No one could stay awake after that. I'd have seriously doubted if it was human otherwise.
Especially after scarfing down that much pasta.
I hadn't expected it to finish all 500 grams. That's five servings. Five.
Utterly ridiculous.
No wonder it blacked out from a blood sugar spike.
I quietly turned around and sat at my desk.
I'd been looking into what it had said about spatial closures.
I'd heard about it before.
Dimensional transfers were on the rise, and spatial erosion was becoming more frequent too...
One news article caught my eye.
In the neighboring country of China, a massive erosion had engulfed an entire region.
The problem was... no one knew why it was increasing.
Experts called it dimensional saturation, but if what it said was true, that didn't quite fit.
A hole had opened in the distance between me and the completely unrelated system.
Wasn't this proof that the walls of the world... were thinning?
That spatial closures were weakening...
I swiveled my chair to stare at the wall by the bed.
Was it my imagination, or had that black hole flickering in the darkness grown much larger since our first encounter?
"......"
Was this a good thing?
I wasn't sure.
I missed seeing it, but that didn't mean I wanted the world thrown into chaos.
I shut down the computer and lay on the bed.
There wouldn't be any problems.
Probably.
The phone rang.
It was from the Association.
Perfect timing. My client had just left, and there was a gap before the next appointment.
I rolled my stiff neck side to side and hit the call button.
The conversation was straightforward.
"I see. That's great news."
Both new counselors had passed.
It was more or less expected.
The manpower shortage couldn't be put off any longer.
"Yes, shall we meet sometime soon...?"
The person in charge suggested meeting the other counselors.
It made sense. As their mentor and senior, it was my role.
I could share my experiences as a hunter counselor...
And give them a heads-up on the hunters' eccentricities and sudden crises they'd face.
I could pass on all sorts of tips.
I sank into my chair and tapped the desk.
"Sure, set up a schedule."
I answered without hesitation.
Couldn't hurt...
"Yes, thank you!"
The person hung up in high spirits.
I agreed some folks at the Association had lost their minds...
But most were just diligently doing their jobs.
That's what I thought.
Speaking of which, she should be here any minute...
[Ring~]
The phone rang.
The caller was Jin Sea. I answered without hesitation.
"Hello?"
We'd planned to have lunch together after a while.
Right after the contract negotiations wrapped up, she'd been dragged into Haetae Guild's massive raid.
She'd been swamped finishing that.
Corporations worldwide seemed eager to squeeze every last drop of blood from their hires before the ink even dried on the contract.
- Uuuugh...
What came through the receiver wasn't a reply, but a groan.
Like a dying zombie.
- Seon-woo... I really feel like I'm dying...
She sounded drained.
"You okay?"
I leaned back in my chair, chuckling as I replied.
Even her death-rattle voice was nice to hear after so long.
Jin Sea whined on.
- I haven't slept in three days...
"That bad? What about now?"
Way too grueling.
That was when worry hit me.
[Hmm...]
The system window popped up crookedly in front of me.
Really crooked, at a diagonal.
What's your problem now?
- I got a little sleep, so I'm better...
- What if I smell like sweat since I haven't showered... My hair's all messed up...
She mumbled her worries.
I didn't mind at all, of course.
"That's fine, but can you make it? Get some proper rest..."
- I'll be right there.
"Uh, okay..."
Guess she was fine. No option for refusal.
But Korea's most famous hunter showing up to a restaurant looking disheveled would draw stares.
Could she eat comfortably?
I pondered briefly and decided.
No need to go out.
Here, no prying eyes, comfy sofa, good ventilation—no smell worries.
"...Want to come to the counseling office? We can order in."
- What?
A clattering noise came through the phone.
"I'll order delivery. Tteokbokki, right?"
Something simple for lunch.
Jin Sea ate anything, but I remembered her favorites.
- Yeah! Love it. Heading out now?
"Yeah, hurry."
I stood, opened the delivery app, and placed the order.
Needed to tidy the counseling room before she arrived.
Last touch for guests: tea.
I brewed coffee.
Poured beans into the grinder and turned the handle.
- Grind grind.
The room filled with coffee aroma, calming my mind—
[User! I have a question!]
[(˵ ›⩊‹ ˵)]
The system window suddenly blocked my view.
"Huh? What is it?"
It usually just rambled, so a question was rare.
Questions from it were uncommon, period.
I kept grinding as I replied.
It paused, then displayed text.
[Who do you think you're closest to among the hunters?]
"......"
The unexpected question made me stop grinding and stare into space.
Pretty childish question.
Who I'm closest to...
This felt like it was asking from its perspective, not mine.
"Who do you think?"
It flashed a smug emoticon and replied instantly.
[Me!]
True, but...
"Excluding you."
[Hng ]
Stuck to me 24/7—if I included it, it'd ruin the balance.
[In that case...]
[Physically... or emotionally...]
[The one sprinting to the door right now!]
[⸜(꒪'꒳'꒪)⸝]
Jin Sea.
I nodded.
Hard to argue. Not my oldest connection, but we'd crossed death's door together.
She'd been there from the start and end of my hunter days. It might be right.
"Yeah, sounds about right."
I poured hot water into the dripper and asked back.
"But why ask?"
There had to be a reason for the sudden question. It paused, then showed intriguing text.
[I need to set priorities too!]
"You don't need to worry about that."
I chuckled.
My friendships weren't its concern.
No need to treat people badly over grudges or extra nice over closeness.
Just view it objectively, as a third party.
"Judge however you want..."
Before I finished.
I shut my mouth and perked my ears.
Vibrations from the end of the hall.
- Thud thud thud...
"She's here."
Footsteps growing louder.
I instinctively turned toward the entrance.
The next moment—
- Bang!
The counseling room door flew open.
A familiar face burst in with ragged breaths.
"Haa... haa... Seon-woo!"
Jin Sea.
Cap pulled low, baggy gray hoodie hanging loose.
Her disheveled look was oddly attractive to me.
She rushed toward me, then hesitated.
- Sniff sniff.
She sniffed her collar, brow furrowing slightly.
"...Can you check me first?"
She shuffled closer, tilting her head to bare her white nape.
Sweeping up her hair exposed her pale neck defenselessly.
"If I smell, I'll just go home."
I buried my nose without hesitation.
A wave of warmth hit me.
[Eek! Stinky!]
[My nose is rotting!]
The system's fuss.
Don't lie. Not even a whiff.
Usually shampoo scent, but now her natural body smell... her personal fragrance was stronger.
Wait...
Up close, it was a bit stimulating. My head spun.
"All good."
I pulled back casually.
The tteokbokki had arrived, so I headed to the door to grab it.
"Phew..."
Jin Sea sighed in relief and flopped onto the sofa.
Tossed her cap aside and sprawled out.
Her hair wasn't even that messy.
- Rustle.
Setting down the bag released a savory aroma.
Jin Sea didn't budge. Legs draped over the armrest, limp.
Her gray hoodie had ridden up, revealing a sliver of white waistline.
She must've been exhausted.
"Get up and eat."
I urged with a smile, but...
Jin Sea blinked and opened her mouth. Like a baby bird.
Takes me back.
"Ahh~"
No helping it. I picked up a wooden skewer.
Blew to cool it, then brought it to her lips.
- Nom.
Her red tongue darted out.
Cheeks puffing as she chewed—pure hamster.
Sauce smeared her lips. I wiped it with my finger.
But then.
She turned her head.
- Chomp.
"?!"
Jin Sea caught my index finger in her mouth.
"Tasty..."
She drowsily opened her eyes and let her head drop.
"Jeez."
Not a kid anymore. I wiped the moist sensation off my finger with tissue.
Jin Sea, who had been limp like a corpse, bolted upright.
Started dipping and eating tteokbokki.
Soon, only empty boxes remained.
"Ahh... so full..."
Done eating, she flung herself back onto the sofa.
Then boldly hiked up her gray hoodie.
"Whoa."
I averted my eyes.
She rubbed her belly, letting out a satisfied groan.
"Did my stomach stick out a lot?"
"You're kidding?"
I let out a disbelieving chuckle.
My gaze naturally fixed on her midriff.
Hoodie rolled up just below her chest.
Her bare white belly exposed vulnerably.
Said she hadn't showered in days, yet it was pristine.
S-rank hunter abs, toned and firm.
"If that's 'a lot' for you..."
What about everyone else?
Jin Sea beamed at the compliment.
Ignoring my stare, she caressed her belly and settled comfortably.
Her languid golden eyes looked up at me.
"What're you doing after work today...?"
"Heading home."
"Aww..."
She pouted disappointedly.
Eyelids half-closed, fluttering.
"Sleepy? Go home and crash."
I sat on the sofa's edge and nudged her thigh.
She didn't budge.
Instead, at my touch, she twisted cat-like and burrowed deeper.
Guess she really was beat.
Leave her be.
She'd leave on her own before lunch ended.
Her personality was like that.
No burdening others.
I cleared the scattered skewers and saucy boxes from the table.
"I'll clean up later..."
Her slender fingers waved weakly in the air before dropping.
"No need."
I chuckled and refused.
Her belly rose and fell rhythmically—she was asleep.
That belly.
Looked freezing.
I gently pulled her clothes down.
Confirmed her steady breathing, then turned.
Maybe grab some water—
[Ring~...]
The bell rang.
I snatched the phone before Jin Sea woke.
"Yes, hello?"
Phones were blowing up today. Unknown number.
I kept my voice low.
But...
The caller was someone I never expected.
- ...Counselor Yoo Seon-woo. Hello.
A middle-aged man's voice, thick with distress.
Somehow familiar.
"Yes. Who's this?"
- Union Guild...
Union Guild? I furrowed my brow.
What would they need to call me directly for?
- Ha... I'm truly sorry to bother you during work hours. We're grasping at straws, hoping you might know something.
His tone was off. Serious.
"Yes, go ahead."
I stepped into the back room, away from Jin Sea.
- Luna Hunter and... Elise Hunter... we can't reach them at all.
"What?"
- They're definitely home... but no contact...
"Did you check? It's only been a few days."
I blurted instinctively.
Luna and Elise?
The two were famous for their diligence.
No-show?
- It's been... about a week...
A week. My heart sank.
Exactly since Luna confessed and left.
"......"
Seemed related to me.
But something didn't add up.
Fine for Luna, but why Elise?
- Our female staff visited... They looked perfectly fine, said they'd come right away...
- Expression was totally normal. Even happy, apparently. Steam coming from the room...
"But they didn't."
- Yes...
- So we wondered if it's some mental illness, and called...
I bowed my head.
Too few clues.
Hard to pinpoint the condition.
If just Luna, I'd get it roughly.
But Elise too?
Even less sense. Steam?
This was...
"I'll go check. Okay?"
- Yes! Thank you!!
Me going made sense.
I threw on my jacket.
Afternoon sessions... canceled.