Chapter 95

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 95

Chapter Title: Dilemma

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Seol Yu-wol and the Association's negotiation table.

On the way to the counseling room, the Association's scout flipped through the documents, double-checking her data one last time.

The investigation into Otherworlders was something the Association handled simultaneously as well.

In their judgment, the Otherworlder named Seol Yu-wol... seemed remarkably gentle and fragile in temperament.

She showed rare bursts of energy when speaking with her assigned counselor, but in all other activities, she maintained an extremely passive and defensive attitude.

Therefore, they had anticipated that a scouting meeting disguised as a casual chat... wouldn't be particularly difficult.

They figured emphasizing the stable safety net of the Association would appeal to her.

It was a stroke of luck, really.

There were limits to thickening the pool of A- and B-rank Hunters.

Making an S-rank like Seol Yu-wol Hunter the centerpiece to rebuild their influence would undoubtedly restore the Association's sagging prestige.

In that sense, Seol Yu-wol was like rain in a drought—a sorely needed talent for the Association.

The staffer flashed a confident smile as he addressed the girl seated across from him.

"Seol Yu-wol Hunter, thank you once again for your interest in the Association. We recognize your potential..."

But his smooth introduction never reached its conclusion.

Seol Yu-wol quietly raised a hand, cutting him off.

"I'm sorry, but..."

She scanned the staffers with a cold expression she'd never shown before.

"...I have one condition for joining the Association."

Seol Yu-wol's low voice filled the counseling room.

"I will protect Counselor Yoo Seon-woo."

"......Pardon?"

Rumors had been circulating lately about bolstering security for the counselor.

But that was about assigning additional A- or B-rank Hunters, not bringing in an S-rank.

"If that's not possible, there's no point in continuing this conversation."

Seol Yu-wol's stance was unwavering.

Cold sweat trickled down the staffer's back.

Their assumption that the talk and negotiation would be easy... had been completely off the mark.

"Wait, what do you mean by..."

I couldn't help but be flustered after taking the call.

Seol Yu-wol was an S-rank Hunter.

Using an S-rank resource like her for my protection was a massive waste of talent. A total waste.

- It was Seol Yu-wol Hunter's firm decision.

The team leader's response was resolute.

Of course it was.

The Association wouldn't be crazy enough to proactively assign an S-rank Hunter as a bodyguard for a mere counselor.

So why?

She had clearly spoken of her dream.

Like the martial alliance that protected people, she wanted to join the Association and help many others.

I never imagined that person would be me.

- Naturally, we tried to dissuade her at first... but her resolve was unshakable. She insisted that securing Counselor Yoo Seon-woo's safety was the top priority...

"Just protection?"

No way.

It had to be something else.

Maybe she had other important duties, and my protection was just a side gig along the way.

- No, that's not the case.

I felt a brief moment of relief at the team leader's reply.

- Protection will be her primary duty, with other tasks handled in her spare time.

"......"

In other words, protection would be classified as her main job.

Which meant... it wasn't impossible...

In truth, I didn't leave the counseling room that often.

Even when I did, it was an extension of work, and having protection for every moment like that would be ridiculous.

So in practice, there would hardly be any actual guarding for her to do.

Still...

I'd have to talk it over with her.

"I'll need to discuss it with Seol Yu-wol."

"........."

"Hello?"

"Ah, yes! Of course."

The team leader seemed hesitant. I waited calmly for him to continue.

"...Counselor. To be frank, from the Association's perspective, we can't imagine a better assignment than having Seol Yu-wol Hunter protect you."

His voice dropped even lower.

"And... you know this, right? The Association currently has no S-rank Hunters. Just having her affiliated with us in any capacity would be a huge boost."

I nodded.

I got the picture.

He was scared I'd turn her down.

The weight of an S-rank Hunter was beyond imagination.

Especially for an Association without any S-rank presence.

They didn't want to let this opportunity slip.

I understood his desperation.

But.

I needed to think it over again.

Seol Yu-wol and I shared a counselor-client relationship.

Though she'd made considerable progress in healing, the moment we became protector and protected, it would blur the lines of our therapeutic bond.

The ideal outcome I'd envisioned—completely parting ways in her life.

This would lead down a completely different path.

"...Could you give me a little more time to think?"

"Ah! Yes! Of course! Take your time!"

I hung up and headed to the kitchen. I downed a glass of cold water in one go, but the tangle in my mind didn't clear one bit.

A dilemma.

I was an Association employee. I had to consider the Association's interests.

But before that, I was a counselor.

The client's full independence and healthy future came first.

My own small principle.

The counselor-client relationship must eventually 'end'.

If Seol Yu-wol became my bodyguard, that principle would shatter.

But at the same time... I wouldn't have to part from Seol Yu-wol.

It was highly likely to evolve into a new relationship as workplace colleagues.

I could watch her growth as a mentally healthier person right by her side, cheer on her new path.

I could share in countless moments as she fully adapted to this unfamiliar world.

As expected.

My personality wasn't cut out for perfectly upholding professional ethics.

I stared down at the empty glass.

I really had no idea.

I asked the air.

"You there?"

I didn't know the answer.

No way to know.

So I wanted to ask the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠system.

If this path was right.

"What should I do?"

"...If I don't know that?"

I'm a counselor.

But only half of one.

I can see right through others' hearts, but my own... I can't grasp a single bit.

I didn't know what I wanted.

The system continued slowly.

How did I feel?

"Surprised. Flustered."

I'd been caught off guard by her action diverging from the dream she'd described.

And then.

And...

"......"

I couldn't continue.

This was a feeling no counselor should have.

"I felt... relieved."

I murmured softly.

Relieved.

If Seol Yu-wol joined the Association and walked her path amid countless people, we'd naturally drift apart.

That was the ideal conclusion to treatment I'd hoped for.

All my past clients had followed that path, and all future ones must too.

But though I'd let go of countless clients before,

I'd never truly felt good about a single farewell.

Seol Yu-wol had arrived in this unfamiliar world, endured deep pain.

I'd been by her side, healing those wounds together.

I'd witnessed every step of her growth and recovery up close.

And I wanted to keep watching.

So.

The fact that Seol Yu-wol wouldn't suddenly vanish somewhere.

The possibility that our connection wouldn't end.

Deluded by the flimsy thought that 'there won't be many situations needing protection anyway.'

I'd felt relieved.

I looked up at the system.

"......"

With those words, I spoke one final time.

"Then I'll ask."

"Is this really a choice that can lead to true happiness?"

At my question, the system window began to glow brightly.

How much time passed?

The system window before me emitted a brighter, more radiant light than ever.

Hearing that answer,

I finally made my decision.