Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Tele Therapy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After my conversation with the system ended, I took a short break.
Even enjoyed a delicious dinner.
Savored the rare rest for a bit.
Evening turned to bedtime just like that.
I sat down at the desk in my study.
In case there were any reservations for the counseling center tomorrow, I opened it up to check.
- Rustle. Rustle.
As expected, nothing.
I hadn't closed it off separately, so reservations were still open...
But no one had signed up.
Did I mess up the reservation function or something?
No one's applying.
Haven't seen anyone since Luna.
Maybe I should advertise it.
Sometimes I'd arrive at the counseling center and see clients who'd come for sessions but had to turn back because too many people were there. That made me think about it.
If they'd reserved, that wouldn't have happened.
Maybe I need to come up with some other method.
But today, the empty reservation screen felt like a blessing.
I'd gotten a call from the Association a little while ago.
They wanted to see me tomorrow.
When I said I had to open the counseling center, they practically begged, saying they'd send a car if I'd just come.
They probably meant for me not to go to work and rest instead.
If it weren't for the Association's summons, I would've headed to the counseling center tomorrow too.
They wanted to formally apologize and compensate for the damages.
This might sound a bit off, but since it was my first kidnapping...
I wasn't sure exactly how to react.
Right now... I'm fine in every way.
As a mental counselor, I'm wary of early PTSD symptoms, but nothing noticeable has cropped up yet.
No nightmares, no sudden flashbacks of those memories.
Am I really okay?
Maybe counselors can't diagnose themselves.
Like how a doctor can't cut open their own stomach.
"......"
I cut off that train of thought.
There's a saying you shouldn't trust thoughts that pop up after 9 p.m.
I lay down on the empty bed.
Even so... sleep wouldn't come.
I put off sleeping a bit longer and picked up my smartphone.
It's been forever since I just lay here messing with my phone like this, ever since becoming a counselor—too busy.
I guess I've just been living buried in work.
I moved my fingers aimlessly.
And accidentally tapped a link with a familiar name.
The place was still noisy and buzzing.
I chuckled at the funny posts.
That was when it happened.
✪ Elise Swimsuit Photoshoot B-Cuts Released [121]
Author: Armband | Views: 86,995 | Likes: 1,012 | Comments: 121
(Photo)
(Photo)
A post with a ton of likes caught my eye.
I clicked into it on instinct, without much thought.
The reactions to the photos...
"She's pretty."
Suits her well.
Honestly, they were bordering on aggressive.
But that was it.
No intention of critiquing photoshoots of a client's little sister.
I was about to turn off my phone and go to bed.
"Uh...?"
Right then.
Still lying down, I just lifted my head to look toward my legs.
No... why all of a sudden...
My friend was suddenly radiating presence like crazy, without any warning.
"Why are you doing this..."
This photo, seriously?
I couldn't believe it, so I looked back at my phone screen.
It was a swimsuit shoot, so some exposure was inevitable, but not like this.
Apparently, my friend disagreed.
This seemed plenty to rile him up.
I felt embarrassed.
And that's when it hit me—what the doctor at the hospital had said.
'A tiny amount of the drug's effects lingers in the body... It can trigger sudden impulses unrelated to your will, or make specific body parts react on their own.'
Ah.
This is driving me crazy.
I sighed.
Looks like the real thing I need to worry about isn't some lofty PTSD.
The next morning.
I stepped out front late in the morning.
Last night's thing was just a fluke.
Actually, not at all.
I dragged myself out front, fatigued.
A unfamiliar black sedan was parked at the officetel entrance.
As soon as I appeared, a suited man hopped out of the driver's seat.
"Counselor!"
He rushed over, face full of worry.
"Are you okay? You don't look well."
"I'm fine. Just didn't sleep much."
I nodded lightly to reassure him.
I slid into the back seat he opened.
- Smoothly.
The car started silently and gently.
We headed to Association HQ in silence, then sat in a familiar meeting room.
He set steaming coffee in front of me.
"I was shocked when I first heard."
The staffer cautiously opened his mouth, glancing at me.
"You got discharged yesterday and went straight to Otherworlder Set Yu-wol's lodging for counseling..."
"Yeah. Lying around in my room felt stuffy."
I answered nonchalantly.
"Haha... You're amazing. Really."
"So... that's why I'm personally escorting you today. I really wanted you to rest today."
He began his explanation.
"As you know, you're Korea's one and only Hunter Mental Counselor. A-Rank Hunters, S-Rank Hunters... they're vital assets, but you're on another level. We failed to protect you properly."
He bowed his head deeply.
"The Baek Si-eun incident was a complete misjudgment by our Association."
He apologized again.
They'd assumed it was safe inside Haetae Guild.
Way too complacent.
Plus, it was your old guild.
From now on, they'd provide stricter personal protection.
The main culprit, Baek Si-eun, was in a coma; the moment she woke, she'd pay dearly.
I just listened to his apology silently.
As I said last time, I see it as force majeure.
No hard feelings toward the Association.
Jin Sea would get a commendation reward.
And I'd receive a huge compensation payout.
Who'd say no to money?
I nodded gratefully.
They were still discussing security details.
Reviewing thoroughly for no gaps.
Honestly, the Baek Si-eun case was such an outlier, and I doubt anything like that'll happen again...
But that's just my opinion.
The staffer asked if there were any other issues.
Oh, right.
I brought it up on the spot.
"How about tweaking the reservation system a bit? Sometimes clients leave without sessions because it's too crowded."
More promotion to spread the word in various ways would help.
I'd considered switching fully to reservations... but that felt iffy.
Some clients show up on impulse when emotions run high.
The staffer responded slowly to my suggestion.
"Ah... We actually prepared something for that..."
"What is it?"
He explained.
The Association clearly wanted me fully resting.
If word got out that the counselor got kidnapped and was back at work the very next day...
They'd face heavy criticism.
So they recommended I take time off.
"But we can't override your will. Prioritizing clients like you do—we have to respect that."
"So, we prepared a compromise."
He turned on his tablet and showed me the screen.
A messenger-like program was running.
"Online counseling."
I nodded, impressed.
This could solve the reservation issues for clients who miss out.
'Tele Therapy.'
The term for non-face-to-face sessions.
And since it's remote, it even protects my safety.
"...Sounds good."
I really liked it.
"But how do we let people know about this system...?"
"Don't worry about that."
He continued as if reading my mind.
"We'll send official notices to every registered guild in Korea."
I nodded.
What's not to like?
Why hesitate on this?
Of course, limitations exist.
Eye contact is key in counseling.
Just locking eyes and reading subtle expressions can create huge synergy.
So this was more of a stopgap.
Still, it was good.
Some hunters got no chance at all.
"That said... We're worried about overloading you further, so we'd like general counselors to handle this..."
"Nah, that's fine."
I cut him off firmly.
Really didn't mind.
"They do it, I do it—better coverage. Whatever."
A bit of my sense of duty there.
Plus, I figured I'd be better at it than them.
I'd been a hunter.
I understood most of their struggles.
So for hunter counseling... I was confident above all.
Meanwhile.
Rabbit Hole.
"Sis..."
"Yeah?"
Elise cautiously opened and entered Luna's room.
Normally, she'd burst in without knocking.
"I heard."
Luna flinched.
Rumors had spread already, it seemed.
Nothing was decided yet.
She'd just briefly considered trying it, mentioned it lightly to her manager.
And it reached Elise's ears.
Manager wouldn't have blabbed... someone must've overheard.
Luna hurriedly replied.
"No, it's not! I just wanted pretty clothes, for keepsakes only..."
- Bang.
Elise left without a word.
- Hop hop!
She bounced off somewhere.
Then frantic footsteps rushed back from down the hall.
Elise arrived at Luna's door holding an outfit from her room.
Was that even clothes?
More like scraps of fabric.
Just strings barely covering the essentials.
Elise held it out to Luna with a serious face.
"...Put it on."
"Me?! This?!"
"Yeah. I'll take your souvenir shots."
Elise smiled brightly.
"Strip."
"Kyaaaaah!!"
Luna screamed, leaped onto the bed, and desperately burrowed under the covers.
She immediately used her only escape magic: Rabbit Hole.
'Rabbit Hole!'
[You are already in the Rabbit Hole!]
However.
No escape for Luna.
Then.
- Grab.
"Eek?!"
Outside the covers, only a small, cute round tail poked out.
Elise grabbed it lovingly.
And dragged her out from under the covers...
- Kyaaaaah! Sis...!
That evening, the Rabbit Hole echoed with one rabbit's desperate screams for a long time.
