Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: A Meal with Mother and Daughter
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Na and I, Seol Yu-wol, walked hand in hand straight to the massive dome-shaped complex at the farthest end of the Association grounds.
The place was called Yoram.
It was a sort of grace period zone, the final stop for all Otherworlders who had crash-landed in this world before venturing out into society.
In stark contrast to the tight security inside the Association, the interior of the dome looked like a peaceful little new town.
A guard in a crisp uniform greeted us at the entrance to the complex.
I presented my ID and said,
"I'm Counselor Yoo Seon-woo. I'm here to help my client, Seol Yu-wol, explore career paths."
The guard scanned my ID with his terminal, glanced alternately at me and at Seol Yu-wol, who was standing rigidly beside me, then nodded.
- Beep.
"Yes, identity confirmed. Counselor and Otherworlder, you may enter."
I nodded and led Seol Yu-wol inside by the hand.
"Have you never been here before?"
In the Association's curriculum, she might have come briefly for classes.
I asked Seol Yu-wol.
"Not... yet."
"I see."
I nodded.
This was a place she'd be visiting often from now on anyway.
Here, she would meet other Otherworlders in the same situation as her.
And form new relationships while learning about the world.
The moment we stepped inside the dome, a landscape unfolded that was the complete opposite of the Association's stark scenery.
An entire small city was contained within the dome.
The dome's ceiling was made of full glass, letting sunlight pour in directly, while well-manicured green lawns and a babbling stream running between them added a pleasant sound of flowing water.
Along the path following the stream, quaint buildings in various national architectural styles lined both sides.
And at the end of that path lay the city center.
There were no towering skyscrapers like in a real city, but you could feel the effort to replicate reality as much as possible.
Seol Yu-wol stared at the scenery in awe.
The Association had clearly put a lot of effort into this space.
The field trip to Luna Field last time had been a special exception, possible only because of me.
Normally, Otherworlders would come here to Yoram first.
I'd heard they'd worked hard to make a good first impression.
It seemed to be working well for Seol Yu-wol too.
"Shall we walk?"
I gently took the hand of Seol Yu-wol, who was standing there dazed.
At my touch, she startled back to awareness.
She glanced down at her held hand, then smiled faintly and began trotting after me.
- Trot trot.
I matched my steps to her smaller stride.
And I explained today's schedule to her.
"Today, we'll basically be attending guild orientation sessions."
"Guilds visit Yoram regularly to scout Otherworlders like you... well, to recruit you."
I added, looking into her eyes,
"You said you wanted to grow stronger, right?"
"So it might be a good idea to find a solid nest you can rely on first."
Seol Yu-wol nodded slowly.
How long did we walk like that? We arrived at the city center.
It was busier than I'd expected.
Since numerous guild branches used these buildings, it didn't feel much different from a real city.
In front of the largest building there, an electronic billboard displayed today's main schedule.
[11:00 AM - Joint Guild Orientation for New Otherworlders (Central Art Hall)]
I led Seol Yu-wol into the building.
The auditorium was already packed with dozens of Otherworlders from all sorts of different worlds.
There were some from the Empire...
And from the Central Plains, as well as various other places.
As we took our seats, the lights in the auditorium dimmed.
A blue dragon emblem appeared on the giant screen on stage.
'Azure Heaven Alliance.'
The first guild for today's orientations was Azure Heaven Alliance.
From the side of the stage, a woman ascended to the podium with graceful steps.
Jade-green silk robes and a phoenix hairpin in her hair.
It was Yi Seo-ryeong.
"?!"
Seol Yu-wol's eyes widened beside me.
She probably had no idea what her mother was doing in this new world.
"Pleased to meet you all, Otherworlders."
She took the microphone and began her elegant presentation to the dozens of Otherworlders.
Yi Seo-ryeong's voice carried a soothing energy that put listeners at ease.
I wasn't watching Yi Seo-ryeong, though—I was looking at Seol Yu-wol beside me.
She couldn't take her eyes off her mother giving the speech, not for a single moment.
Seol Yu-wol's blue eyes sparkled brightly.
The trembling eyes like aspen leaves whenever she mentioned Yi Seo-ryeong in the past were gone.
Now, those eyes were filled with pride.
No fear, no resentment.
I nodded at that excellent change.
The guild orientations continued after that, but...
Most of them boiled down to the same points.
"Join our Ascent Guild, and we'll provide a luxury villa near the guild immediately..."
"Join our Paladin Guild, and we guarantee a higher salary than any other guild..."
Superior accommodations.
High salaries.
And top-tier equipment support to boot.
That was what they could offer Otherworlders.
As the orientations wound down, I was about to ask Seol Yu-wol which guild appealed to her.
That's when it happened.
- Thud.
Someone sat naturally in the empty seat next to us.
A familiar orchid scent brushed my nose.
"Dear, was the orientation fun?"
I turned my head.
Yi Seo-ryeong was there, gazing at Seol Yu-wol with a gentle smile.
"Mother..."
Seol Yu-wol looked back at her with joy.
I watched the two of them and gave Yi Seo-ryeong a slight bow in greeting.
Yi Seo-ryeong rose slightly from her seat and returned the bow with equal courtesy.
This wasn't necessary...
I'd noticed it before, but the respect she showed me was excessively formal.
As if she regarded me, her daughter's counselor, as someone higher than herself.
Yi Seo-ryeong passed Seol Yu-wol's side and sat in the empty seat next to me, continuing,
"I took the liberty of preparing a little lunch for the two of you."
She gestured toward the park visible through the auditorium windows.
"Once the orientation ends, would you come to the benches in the park?"
Yi Seo-ryeong suggested with a raised corner of her mouth.
There was no reason for me to refuse.
We had to eat anyway.
And Seol Yu-wol surely wouldn't mind dining with her mother.
"Of course. Thank you."
I nodded.
Satisfied with my response, Yi Seo-ryeong smiled and stood.
"Then I'll go on ahead."
Yi Seo-ryeong walked out of the auditorium, leaving us behind.
Only after she left did the orientation finally end.
I found it boring since I already knew everything...
But not Seol Yu-wol.
Her eyes sparkled as if she'd had a great time sightseeing.
"Shall we go eat now?"
Seol Yu-wol nodded silently.
- Tap tap...
I turned to head out.
But someone tapped the back of my hand from behind.
"?"
I turned around.
It was Seol Yu-wol.
"Hand... a bit..."
Seol Yu-wol held out her small hand toward me as if it were the most natural thing.
"Hold... please..."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her request.
In the end, Seol Yu-wol snatched my hand again.
- Squeeze.
She gripped it tightly, with no intention of letting go.
Hand in hand, we left the auditorium and walked toward the benches in the sunlit park.
Along the way, I asked her for her impressions of the day.
"What do you think? Have you decided on a place you'd like to go?"
Of course, Seol Yu-wol's performance and true abilities would show in the upcoming tests...
But from what I'd seen so far, I didn't think she was weak at all.
So it seemed more likely she'd be the one choosing a guild, rather than the other way around.
"Hmm..."
But Seol Yu-wol still looked undecided.
"No rush. You don't have to decide right now."
I reassured her.
As we chatted, we arrived at the promised spot: the large tree-shaded bench in front of the Art Hall.
Yi Seo-ryeong had spread a white silk cloth over the bench and was carefully unpacking an array of ornate lunchboxes she'd prepared herself.
"No way... all this...?"
Clear clam soup steaming gently, colorful vegetable side dishes neatly arranged, and glossy chicken rice topped with egg.
This wasn't just a lunchbox—it was practically...
Yi Seo-ryeong spotted us and beamed happily.
Seol Yu-wol and I sat down.
The moment we were seated, she carefully slid the opened chicken rice toward me.
"Chicken rice."
She added in a soft voice,
"I hope it suits your taste, Counselor."
"Thank you... I'll enjoy it."
I bowed my head and picked up the spoon.
"Ah... please eat first."
I offered Yi Seo-ryeong the first bite.
But she just shook her head.
"Please, you first, Counselor."
I nodded and finally took the spoon.
I scooped up a big bite of the chicken rice she'd made with such care and brought it to my mouth.
It was hot enough to scorch my tongue.
And the chewy egg and tender chicken blended in perfect harmony.
I couldn't help but be impressed the moment it hit my taste buds.
"It's... delicious."
I nodded and gave Yi Seo-ryeong my honest feedback.
She smiled contentedly in response.
"They say the flavor of chicken and egg together has been known since ancient times to invigorate a man's vitality."
Yi Seo-ryeong began explaining the dish.
- Nom nom.
Seol Yu-wol, sitting beside her, ignored everything and lost herself in the taste of her mother's cooking after so long.
- Chomp chomp.
Yi Seo-ryeong gently stroked her daughter's head.
"Truly... I'm at a loss now that the Counselor enjoys it so much."
She turned to look at me slowly.
"Ah... I see."
I nodded appropriately and picked up my spoon again.
"Hee hee..."
A satisfied laugh escaped Yi Seo-ryeong's lips.
- Nom nom nom.
"More, please...!"
As Seol Yu-wol, nose-deep in the lunchboxes, called out lifting her head,
I picked up my spoon once more.
