Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: 7. Praise
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A peaceful morning.
The streets outside the window were packed with people heading to work, but my counseling office felt like it belonged to another world entirely—deathly quiet.
So peaceful, in fact, that there was nothing to do.
I tapped idly on the blank morning schedule sheet with my finger.
As expected, not a single personal counseling appointment.
I got it. Like I said yesterday, getting here wasn't easy.
Of course, this downtime would end with the week, so I decided to enjoy it while it lasted.
After a brief break, I got back to work.
'What's the most important virtue of a mental counselor?'
Empathy? Insight?
Those help, sure, but they're not the core.
It's aftercare.
Most clients who walk through that door—over 90%—come back.
Even at Haetae Guild, it was the same.
I was the colleague who listened well, and plenty came back after talking to me.
A counselor bears full responsibility for their client during that visit.
And I figured Jahwa-yeon would be no different.
She didn't seem to have any mental illness, but people don't come here just for that.
She'd probably show up again sometime this week or next.
"Let's take a look..."
The session ending didn't mean my job was done.
Prep for the next one came first—gathering info.
For regular folks, you dig into their inner world based solely on what they say.
But hunters? Different story.
Hunters were public figures, gossip magnets even more than celebrities.
Internet communities, fan cafes, even academic papers analyzing their combat footage.
If you had the will, info on them was yours for the taking.
I typed something into the search bar.
Back on my Earth—what they called 'Entropy Earth'—online communities didn't have the best rep.
But here? Totally different.
A gallery for fans analyzing and digging into hunters.
Hidden behind anonymity, but some seriously sharp minds lurked there.
Even active hunters, from what I'd heard.
And guild or association insiders? Everyone knew that was an open secret.
I wouldn't normally browse, but right now, I needed the help.
Hundreds of posts filled the screen, sorted by latest.
Curious, but not what I wanted.
I scrolled past without a second glance.
And finally, spotted an intriguing title.
I clicked without hesitation.
Saw the Azure Heaven Alliance and Demonic Cult beefing again lately, so here's what I know.
As everyone knows, back in the Central Plains, those two were at each other's throats constantly.
But when the Demonic Cult forces came here, they were total pushovers compared to the orthodox sects—got wrecked.
Then Jahwa-yeon, daughter of the Heavenly Demon, crossed over, and that's when it started.
With her legitimacy and power, she united the scattered Demonic Cult.
That's when the balance between Azure Heaven Alliance and Demonic Cult evened out again.
But here's the real issue.
The Heavenly Demon herself says since we're in this world now, no need to square off against the Azure Heaven Alliance.
Yet the ones actually holding power keep provoking them and stirring up conflicts.
Maybe that's why there's friction lately?
Just take this as one person's analysis, pls.
The post wrapped up there.
Who is this guy?
To an outsider, it'd just seem like an entertaining read.
But it lined up eerily well with what I'd heard back in my Haetae days.
"Personal analysis," my ass—the accuracy was too spot-on.
Felt like an insider who really knew their stuff.
The comments called it out too.
Way too detailed. You an insider?
Nah, no way.
Call the Alliance Leader a bastard then.
Fuck off.
Azure Heaven Alliance member for real?
Nah, probably not.
I scrolled the comments for more intel.
Personally, I like the Alliance Leader over the Heavenly Demon. HD's too soft.
That was it.
Nothing more useful.
I paused to think.
"She'll come today, won't she?"
Not next week.
Probably soon.
I stood and headed to the empty kitchen.
Felt like I needed to bake more brownies.
I preheated the oven and pulled out the aged dough from the fridge.
Just as the sweet chocolate scent began filling the office...
- Click.
As expected, the door opened.
I greeted her with a calm expression, like I'd been waiting.
"Welcome, Heavenly Demon."
There stood Jahwa-yeon, trying to look nonchalant but radiating barely contained excitement and pride.
I smiled and ushered her in.
"Knew you'd come, so I prepared some treats."
Her eyes widened in surprise at my words.
She cleared her throat and reverted to her sharp gaze.
"Sharp for a mere physician."
I plated the freshly baked brownies, steam rising invitingly, and set them on the table before her.
Then I said nothing.
Better to let her speak first.
She needed to boast about her achievements herself.
That would bring her the most joy.
As expected, Jahwa-yeon broke the silence.
"I wish to speak of this one's feats."
"I've been waiting."
Satisfied with my reply, she stuffed a huge brownie chunk into her mouth, cheeks bulging like a squirrel's.
She chewed messily and declared triumphantly in mangled words.
"Thish one... promoted him to... theh Ten Demonsh."
"......"
I took a moment to decode the cryptic mush.
'This seat promoted Geumgang to the Ten Demons.'
That was it.
And she'd switched from "this lady" to "this seat"—fully embracing her lordly status.
"And the... vacant Right Protector poshtion... gave it to him too."
'And handed him the vacant Right Protector seat.'
Smart move. Geumgang as Right Protector would balance the Left Protector.
She gulped down the brownie with a gulp and grinned at me expectantly.
"What do you think, physician?"
Like a kid fishing for praise.
"The Left Protector is no longer this seat's sole proxy. Military and financial authority he held? Split in half and handed to Geumgang."
"Isn't this what you expected of this one... no."
She paused, correcting herself.
"Of this seat?"
I nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Splendid, Supreme One."
Her lips twitched faintly at my words.
Satisfaction Suitability: 100%
💬 Suggested: Mention that it feels similar to what the previous Heavenly Demon would have done.
It was something I'd pondered too.
Worried it might cross a line.
Apparently not.
I didn't hesitate, fanning the flames of her pride one last time.
"The previous Heavenly Demon would have made the exact same call."
Her eyes wavered again.
The glassy mask of transparency melted away.
I seized the vulnerable moment, soothing her like a child with gentle praise.
"You're already doing more than enough."
"No ruler nails everything from the start. Just keep straightening out the cult your way, one step at a time like this. No need to rush."
"I... see..."
She nodded like a relieved child at my comfort.
Validation from someone who understood her—that was her greatest solace.
But a counselor's role wasn't just licking wounds with sweet words.
I paused, then tossed a tiny pebble instead of dousing her with cold water.
"That said, Heavenly Demon... this might not be the end of it."
Her satisfied smile stiffened slightly.
"Would the Left Protector really step back so easily?"
I asked innocently, out of pure curiosity.
She chuckled.
Like an adult humoring a child's worry.
"Worry not, physician."
She set down her teacup with confident flair.
"The Left Protector's claws are all pulled. Without my leave, he's powerless. He's probably reflecting on his folly right now. His past loyalty wasn't fake, so just watch—he'll behave."
"...I see."
I didn't argue further.
No need to shatter this young ruler's naive faith just yet.
Urging more pressure on the Left Protector would cross the line anyway.
The world would teach her soon enough.
One full-body betrayal beat a hundred words of advice.
Jahwa-yeon was young.
And she was overlooking one key fact.
People say "people don't change," but that's only half-true.
People do change.
Especially for the worse.
"Anyway, enough talk. More treats."
"Right away."
Taking my silence as agreement, she demanded dessert like a kid—bold as ever.
I chuckled lightly and handed her fresh brownies.
Best to load up on the sweets now.
The reality awaiting her might taste a bit bitter.
Soon enough, Jahwa-yeon would come crawling back.
With a face far sadder than today's.