Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: I'm Telling You All
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Yeah, so I got the Origin of the Species.
And with it, this ridiculous ability called the "Inexhaustible Spring."
But that doesn't mean I'm suddenly turning into some overlord or becoming someone else entirely.
No matter what I pick up along the way, nothing's really going to change.
I'm still just a counselor, living my own life.
It's nothing more than insurance to make that process a bit smoother and safer.
If anything, I hope I never have to use something as extreme and powerful as Mental Immunity.
Having to resort to that would mean things have gone seriously wrong in the first place.
Wouldn't it be best if nothing like that ever happens?
"Hoo..."
I let out a light sigh and headed to the kitchen to check the mirror.
I tidied up my appearance one last time before greeting my client.
As I stared into the mirror, something felt off.
"......"
Huh. My skin looks a bit brighter. And my eyes seem clearer too.
[The Origin of the Species... even boosts your outward charm to appeal to the opposite sex. It's a 'Body' stat, right?]
[Jackpot, huh? Hehe.]
Well... a trustworthy appearance as a counselor isn't a bad thing...
But it's not important.
I shook my head lightly and headed to the counseling room.
Today was especially busy.
My morning appointments were booked solid without a single gap, no room to breathe.
And the real issue was the afternoon.
I had to visit the Hunter Association.
I was scheduled for a meeting with the two newly selected counselors.
Do the interview, and as a mentor, pass on some job training? Share some know-how?
While I'm at it, I figured I'd give them tips on things to watch out for.
They call it mentoring, but really, it's just warnings on top of warnings.
I hope they avoid the mistakes I made and do well.
Honestly, I'm looking forward to it a bit.
Today was going to be hectic.
[Don't worry! User's vitality is infinite now! You won't get tired anymore, right?]
[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]
That cheeky emoticon winked smugly at me.
I swiped the message window away with one hand.
Yeah.
Let's see about that endless vitality.
I'll put it to the test with work.
I began the counseling session with renewed resolve.
And... time flew by relentlessly.
Enough time for the humidifier's tank in the corner of the counseling room to empty twice over.
Having powered through the entire morning schedule, I took a brief moment to refill the humidifier with water.
- Glug... glug...
Listening to the sound of water filling the tank, I furrowed my brow.
"......"
Something... was wrong.
The sessions had gone smoothly, sure.
But...
"What the...?"
Every single client only wanted to talk about my looks.
The first one was a female hunter in her third session with me.
Usually blunt and no-nonsense, but today she came in blushing and couldn't meet my eyes straight the whole time.
"......Counselor, I don't think I can do the session today..."
"Is something wrong?"
"You're too handsome... I can't look at you..."
"...Pardon?"
I was so flustered back then that I fumbled through it and wrapped up somehow, but everyone after was the same.
New skincare? Hit the salon? You're way too hot today, stuff like that.
Talk about my appearance overshadowed the actual counseling.
And the last one was a male hunter...
"Counselor, you free tonight? Grab a drink or something...?"
The issue he was consulting about? He'd fallen for a same-sex colleague at work.
- Shake shake.
I shook my head vigorously in denial.
No way. It has to be nothing.
Such a sensitive guy...
Self-reproach washed over me as my fingertips trembled while fitting the tank back in.
Anyway... the morning sessions were done.
Time to head straight to the Association.
"Let's go."
I grabbed the long coat hanging on the rack.
Normally, for official schedules, I'd need escorts...
But honestly, it's embarrassing. It's like a five-minute walk anyway.
I picked up my briefcase and opened the counseling room door with a light heart...
- Bang.
I froze halfway through opening the door.
"Let's go...?"
"Shall we...?"
Seol Yu-wol and Mairi were already waiting outside.
But the moment they saw my face, they stiffened, stared blankly, then...
- Turn.
- Turn.
As if on cue, they whipped their heads away to face each other.
A moment later, Mairi stepped forward with a deliberately serious expression.
"......Did you... put on lip gloss or something?"
Mairi spoke first.
So you're thinking it too.
I nodded in resignation.
"Uh... yeah, changed something up."
- Sniff sniff.
Seol Yu-wol approached me.
She buried her nose in my chest and started smelling.
"Mmm..."
Her pupils seemed to glaze over dreamily before curving into a smile.
"You smell nice too."
"Thanks..."
I rubbed my dry face in response.
I should just give up.
"Oh, right."
Mairi spoke up as if remembering something.
This must be the real reason they came to pick me up.
"Saw your schedule. Why didn't you say anything?"
"It's right around the corner. Didn't want to bother you guys."
"That's exactly when you call us."
Mairi added firmly.
"We're bored too. Nice to get some air."
"......Yeah?"
Seol Yu-wol naturally linked her arm with mine and clung close.
"Yes! Exactly!"
The feel of her against my arm came with a rush of her scent.
In that case... I should call them more often.
I'd thought they'd find it annoying.
On the way to the Association, I heard some surprising news.
"Oppa, I'm heading out to raid a dungeon tomorrow."
"Really?"
I stopped walking and widened my eyes.
"Yeah. Four days, three nights. Might end sooner."
It would be Seol Yu-wol's first dungeon raid.
"Hold on..."
I turned my head.
If Seol Yu-wol was going...
"Yeah, me too."
Sensing my gaze, Mairi nodded calmly.
"Can't help it as the junior. Gotta handle cleanup."
"Have a safe trip."
I patted Seol Yu-wol's back a couple times.
She'd handle it fine on her own. Raid? More like a picnic.
With two S-rank hunters.
The monsters in the dungeon should be the ones worrying.
If anything goes wrong... I'd be the one in danger left behind.
I didn't think anything would happen in those few days anyway.
"Don't worry, oppa."
Seol Yu-wol hugged my arm tighter, her eyes crinkling.
"Someone... way stronger than me will be guarding you."
Ah... right.
There had been a replacement for the escort.
Only one person fit the bill to replace Seol Yu-wol.
Which naturally meant...
"...Thanks."
Lee Seo-ryeong would be on guard duty.
No official outings anyway, so I wouldn't run into her...
Then what was this subtle excitement?
My mouth went dry.
I shook my head slightly and headed to the Association.
Upon arrival, I sent Seol Yu-wol and Mairi back to the office.
They whined about coming along and being bored, so I loaded them up with sugary snacks and whipped-cream-loaded drinks from the cafe, piled high in their hands.
They could spike their blood sugar, sprawl out, and take a nap.
I met the staff member right away.
"Ah... Counselor!"
"Hello."
I gave a light nod and cut straight to business, no small talk.
"Where are the counselors?"
"Waiting in Conference Room 1."
"I'll head there now. Am I meeting both at once?"
"Yes, that's the request."
Huh.
Wouldn't it be better one at a time?
"Given your schedule..."
"My afternoon's free. Better to do them separately, no?"
No afternoon sessions, so I was fine.
"Ah... it's not that..."
I could sense the staff member's discomfort.
He glanced at me, then sighed and came clean.
"They just... have personal plans after, so..."
"......"
"They want to wrap it up quick in one go due to time..."
"...I see."
Not my time, their time.
Got it.
Poor staffer tried to sugarcoat it. Tough to relay.
I nodded.
"Understood."
"Sorry..."
"No need."
I got the vibe.
Fine by me, easier.
Didn't need to come with heavy expectations.
"Got it. Thanks for your work."
I didn't add more and started toward the conference room.
That's when...
"...Counselor!"
An urgent voice stopped me.
"Yes?"
I turned.
His face was oddly twisted.
He hesitated, lips twitching, then muttered softly.
"We... didn't want to do this either."
"Pardon?"
I couldn't quite parse it.
What was he referring to?
"Ah, nothing."
The staffer shook his head and walked off.
"......"
I watched his retreating back for a moment... then turned to the conference room.
No need to prepare thoroughly.
At the conference room door.
I loosened my neck out of habit, knocked lightly, and opened it.
- Click.
The chatter hit my ears as the door opened.
"Ha... I only got the cert because Dad forced me, messed up my brain..."
"Still, good salary, not bad at this level."
"Salary's whatever. Just wish they'd assign escorts quick... they weren't half bad."
Two young men lounged at the head of the table, chatting idly.
The content grated.
"......Ah."
The one facing the door spotted me, paused, and slowly stood.
He offered a mild, amiable smile and bowed his head.
"Hello?"
The other, feet propped on the table across from him, tilted his head sideways.
"Ah... you're here."
He scanned me up and down, then languidly lowered his legs.
And stood up just as slowly.
"......"
I watched silently.
In my line of work, after thousands of clients...
I don't judge people rashly on first impressions.
Some look rough but are sweet inside; others seem nice but are rotten.
But... statistics have outliers.
And total lost causes exist too.
Like these two in front of me.
The first one who stood upon seeing me.
And the one who stood slowly, scanning me up and down.
"......"
What the hell is this?
I could only reach one conclusion.
"They must've lowered the bar a lot."
Not that the bar means much anyway.
Feels like they just scooped up whoever from above.
Now I got it.
"We... didn't want to do this either."
What the staffer wanted to say earlier.
I felt his self-loathing.
"......What?"
Choi Jong-hyeok tilted his head, pretending not to hear, and asked again.
He heard. Just playing dumb to avoid awkwardness.
His eyes twitched as he forced the amiable smile.
But Park Jong-ik had caught it.
"What did you just say?"
His brow furrowed sharply.
I casually pulled out the chair opposite the head and faced him.
"Ah. Must not have heard right."
I flashed a bright smile and enunciated clearly.
"I'm telling you all."
In that instant, the air in the conference room froze cold.