Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Celestial Maiden
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A familiar energy...?
The moment I had that doubt, a frantic cry almost like a scream erupted from the command center through my in-ear device.
- Hey! Who the hell is that!!
- Counselor! There's a Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Otherworlder named Jahwa-yeon next to you...!
"Ah, yes. It's fine. We're personally acquainted."
I calmly responded to the commotion coming through my in-ear.
At my single sentence, the flustered staff member's voice came through.
- ...Pardon? Acquainted? Just... just a moment, please wait...
However, Jahwa-yeon showed no intention of waiting for that clumsy response.
"Your handling of matters is truly frustratingly slow."
Jahwa-yeon turned her head back and murmured softly.
Then, she closed her eyes for a very brief moment.
A faint black-red energy rose like a haze around her and then vanished.
She opened her eyes again.
"There, that should do it now."
What should?
As I pondered the meaning of her words,
a different staff member's voice from before came through my in-ear.
- Ah... Understood, Counselor. Now that the barrier is up, external personnel are not permitted to enter in principle, but...
The staff member's voice was trembling.
- Just now, Jahwa-yeon sent a telepathic message to the entire command center stating her intent to 'assist the physician under my direct command.' Therefore... we will temporarily permit Jahwa-yeon's accompaniment based on on-site judgment...
"Ah... I see."
- Yes... Please, take care.
The staff must be flustered too.
I understood that flustered feeling.
I was quite flustered myself.
I decided to understand their sentiments.
And so, we became a group of three, proceeding smoothly toward the center.
But then.
- Zzzt... zzzzt!
With a bizarre noise, the core of the Dimensional Transfer, rippling in blue light far ahead, began to twist violently.
And from its center, a dark blue barrier that seemed to devour space itself surged toward us like a wave.
- Squeeze.
Seeing it, Elise reflexively pulled my body tightly into her embrace.
"Hmph."
However, Jahwa-yeon, standing beside me, snorted and flicked her hand once.
The black barrier blooming from her fingertips enveloped us, effortlessly erasing all the spatial distortions bearing down as if they were nothing.
And the scenery began to shift slowly.
The green grass of Seoul Forest turned into dry rocks, and the surrounding forest of buildings transformed into bizarre mountain ranges.
"Teacher! Are you okay?!"
"Ah... yes. But what was that..."
I barely managed to reply while cradled in Elise's arms, my waist bent like a bow.
Honestly, it felt less like being protected and more like being caught in a powerful wrestling hold.
Elise, still not releasing me, spoke with a stiff expression.
Her perky ears were drooping.
"Looks like... Dimensional Transfer erosion..."
Dimensional Transfer erosion.
It refers to the phenomenon where, in the area of a Dimensional Transfer, not only Otherworlders but also the surrounding environment of their world is temporarily transferred.
Unlike Otherworlders, it fades quickly as a temporary effect, but...
It's known to occur only when the Otherworlder's strength exceeds a certain level.
In other words, this Otherworlder was more likely S-Rank than A-Rank.
At that moment.
The cold voice of Jahwa-yeon, standing beside us, rang out.
"Tch."
She scanned Elise, who was hugging me tightly, up and down with displeased eyes.
"Men and women should keep their distance. Why don't you let go?"
At her words, Elise hurriedly released her hold.
"Thank you..."
With my body finally free, I expressed my gratitude to Jahwa-yeon.
Regardless, it was her black barrier that had safely protected us from that wave just now.
"It's nothing."
But contrary to her words, the corner of Jahwa-yeon's mouth twitched at my thanks.
- Zzzt...
A sharp burst of static came from the in-ear in my ear.
Having entered the interior of the Dimensional Transfer erosion space, all communication with the command center seemed completely cut off.
I looked around.
All around was filled with bizarre rocks I'd never seen before and grasses emitting a bitter scent.
Judging by the open landscape, it was a high-altitude rocky mountain range.
Seoul? No way.
It felt like somewhere in the Central Plains...
In this alien space where I couldn't gauge direction, I momentarily lost my way.
"Which way..."
But I wasn't the only one.
- Sniff sniff.
Elise closed her eyes.
Her perky gray ears trembled faintly, then she opened her eyes again.
Elise's finger pointed unhesitatingly in one direction.
At the same time, Jahwa-yeon slowly pointed in one direction with her finger.
Both fingers pointed the same way.
"This way."
"Over here."
Jahwa-yeon glanced sideways at Elise and continued.
"This is a place I know. It seems my guess was correct."
Her voice carried satisfaction that her prediction had hit the mark.
That made things straightforward.
Jahwa-yeon's presence here was proving fortunate.
"Oh, really? Where is this place?"
Elise asked with curiosity.
I didn't know what the Empire was like, but this was probably unfamiliar scenery to her too.
Gazing at the distant mountain peak shrouded in mist, Jahwa-yeon replied in a cold voice.
"A flank of Kunlun Mountain."
She continued with a mocking smile.
"A repulsive place where hypocrites prattle about the Dao and claim to be of heaven."
And she asked no more for our opinions.
"Follow me. I will guide you personally."
Honestly, that was extremely welcome.
I followed her without a word.
Our formation naturally became Jahwa-yeon in the lead, with me and Elise following.
While following behind, Elise whispered very softly into my ear.
'But... who the heck is she?'
I replied to her ear in an equally small voice.
'One of my clients.'
'I see... but her character's kinda funny.'
I almost nodded in agreement,
but I caught Jahwa-yeon's ears twitching faintly ahead.
She's listening to everything.
I urgently signaled Elise with my eyes.
And whispered a bit louder than before.
'Still... she's an incredibly impressive person.'
Elise glanced ahead and seemed to grasp it all.
She chuckled and played along.
'Yeah~ She's super cool~'
At that, Jahwa-yeon's shoulders rose slightly.
Well, no need to tease someone who volunteered as our guide.
As long as everyone's happy, right?
We walked for dozens more minutes like that.
"Ha......"
I desperately suppressed the rough breath threatening to burst out.
The air was already thin in the high mountains, and with the steep incline, my lungs burned as if I couldn't catch my breath.
"Teacher, I could carry you on my back?"
Elise teased me, patting my back and butt lightly while laughing.
Her steps were light and bouncy, like strolling on flat ground.
No wonder they sing 'Mountain Bunny, Mountain Bunny.'
"I'm... fine."
It looked extremely plush, but as a counselor, I couldn't bear to lose my last shred of dignity by being carried on her back.
Just as the question of when we'd arrive welled up to the tip of my tongue.
"This is the place."
Jahwa-yeon muttered from the lead.
But before my eyes was nothing but a massive cliff.
Elise noticed too, narrowing her eyes.
"Something's there."
"Not something—it's a formation."
Jahwa-yeon spoke to Elise.
And as she gestured toward the air.
- Woooom...
The space before us began to distort like a heat haze.
The rocky cliff scenery gradually faded like smeared paint.
And beyond it, the entrance to a massive cave that hadn't existed before revealed itself.
"Looks seriously unwelcoming."
Stalactites decorated the entrance like a monster's gaping maw.
It was enormous in size, with no end in sight.
But given the atmosphere, it seemed we'd have to go in anyway, so I steeled myself.
And sure enough.
Jahwa-yeon advanced into its mouth without hesitation.
Yeah, we have to go.
What choice do we have?
I felt tremendous fatigue from my very first mission.
However, the cave interior was surprisingly pleasant.
They say the interior size is proportional to the entrance, and it seemed true.
Water dripped steadily, but it wasn't damp.
Rather, the pooled water on the floor created a mystical atmosphere.
And so, we walked deeper into the darkness.
How long had we walked?
At the end of the long, dark tunnel, a blue light finally appeared.
And at that end, a vast space unfolded.
Hard to call it a mere cave.
The ceiling was embedded with countless glowing ores, emitting a brilliant light like stars in the night sky.
Moss blooming thickly on the walls caught that light, illuminating the enormous space.
And in the center of that shallow lake.
There stood a single woman.
Like an immortal.
No... like a celestial maiden.
A woman in pure white training robes.
Standing in the middle of the lake, eyes closed.
Her hair was jet-black like ink, but half faded to snow-white, cascading down her back like a waterfall.
As I lost myself momentarily in that unreal sight, Jahwa-yeon beside me murmured quietly.
"...So it was you after all."
At that moment, the celestial maiden far away slowly opened her eyes.
Ice-cold blue pupils met mine directly.
The instant I instinctively activated my ability as a counselor upon receiving her gaze.
[???]
[Main Stance]
Demonic Cultists who intruded without permission into your secluded training cave stand before your eyes.
[Suitable Response][Satisfaction Rate 100%]
[Dodge!!!!!!!!!!! Quickly!!!!!!!!!!!]
What to dodge...
- Clang!!!!!
My thought hadn't even finished.
I blinked,
and before my eyes, Elise's pointed high-heel and the black-red sword energy pouring from Jahwa-yeon's hand were already entangled, blocking a sword.
The key point was that they were 'blocking a sword.'
Both hunters had moved simultaneously to protect me.
"Only your hair color has changed. How is that venomous temperament of yours unchanged in the slightest?"
Jahwa-yeon sneered, lightly deflecting the celestial maiden's sword.
I stared blankly at the entire scene before snapping to my senses and reaching into my pocket.
My fingers headed for the button on the emergency signaler issued by the Association.
At least press the 'caution' button...
Found it.
- Click, click, click.
But.
I soon realized.
'Ah.'
Communications are cut.
In the end, I'd just madly pressed a useless plastic lump.