Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Tikhe (2)
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Late afternoon.
I opened my eyes groggily.
The first thing I saw was Tikhe's face, peacefully sleeping right beside me.
Dazzling golden blonde hair, doll-like eyelashes. Even in sleep, she was goddess-like.
My gaze naturally drifted downward.
Those voluptuous... no, what the hell am I doing.
Staring at my summon like this? That's not right.
But rationally, I knew better—my instincts weren't listening. Every breath she took made the thin fabric stretch taut right in front of my nose, then relax. How could I not look?
Gulp. I swallowed hard.
That's when it happened.
Tikhe stretched out her arm like she was sleep-talking and yanked me straight into her embrace.
"Wh-what?!"
I screamed, but my voice muffled into a whimper against her chest.
A fragrant floral scent and her warm body heat washed over me. My vision filled with smooth, pale skin.
It was driving me insane. The soft yet springy sensation hit my brain like a direct strike.
Dizzying enough to cloud my mind.
And the spot where my face pressed was just too perfect—every breath brought a wave of guilt.
"You were staring the whole time. Don't you like it? Hehe."
A soft, velvety voice came from above my head.
No intention of letting go—she tightened her arms even more. I could barely breathe.
"No need to be shy. My master is even less honest than I thought?"
With my ear pressed to her chest, I heard her heartbeat. Thump, thump.
This is seriously dangerous. Her body's like a kid's, but inside, I'm a vigorous guy in his twenties.
If my heart explodes, would the cause of death be compression?
I wriggled free with effort. My face felt like it was on fire.
Habitually, I grabbed my phone, pretending nothing happened. But Tikhe leaned in with curious eyes.
"Oh, is this the phone I've only heard about?"
"...Tikhe, you know about phones?"
"When we contracted, basic knowledge of this world flows into my head. Modern society, right? I get the gist."
Thank goodness. I almost had to explain everything.
Tikhe peered at my phone screen in wonder, then glanced at Little One.
"I'm a goddess, so that's fine, but what about him? Does he know everything too?"
"Who knows. But he picks up on things quick."
Judging by Little One's behavior, he's already hooked on short-form videos. Adaptation skills are top-tier.
Tikhe got up from the bed. As she stretched, tantalizing curves teased through her thin dress.
I whipped my head away, but she headed to the kitchen without a care.
Clunk.
She opened the fridge and tilted her head.
Just a few bottles of cold water.
"Huh?"
She opened the upper cabinets. Empty.
She checked the pantry. Nothing but dust.
"Huh??"
Tikhe's search didn't stop.
She poked around every corner of the room, even flung open the bathroom door, before turning back to me with a blank look.
"Huh???"
Her triple-question left me sheepish, so I asked,
"...Tikhe, what's up? Looking for something?"
"I know for sure the fridge should be packed with food, the kitchen stocked with every kind of seasoning.
And the bathroom should have fancy cosmetics and bath stuff piled high, right?
But why is there nothing here?"
"Oh, Tikhe. It's 'cause I live alone. I keep only the essentials."
"Live alone? ...Even so, this is way too barren. Master, are you trying to starve yourself to death?"
As if.
I pointed to the table.
Yesterday's top-tier dishes from the gacha were still there. Cold and unappetizing now, but the quality held up.
"We can just reheat the leftovers."
I casually opened the microwave and popped in a container.
Whirr—.
The hum filled the tiny room. Soon, savory butter and meat aromas wafted up again.
"There, all done. Breakfast... no, lunch and dinner in one."
I laid out steaming steaks and lobster on the table.
Little One caught the scent and dashed over, claiming a spot. His fork grip was firm.
Tikhe sat beside me, picked up her fork with a bright smile, and cut into the meat on her plate before speaking.
"Master, even if you're living solo, you need basics and stuff around the house. Let's go shopping after we eat."
"Ehh, shopping's a hassle. Can't we just live minimally?"
As I recoiled, Tikhe suddenly set down her fork and stared at my face.
"By the way, Master, how about we drop the formal talk between us? No more polite speech."
Her out-of-left-field suggestion had me scratching my head.
"Uh... maybe? Feels awkward, though."
"You'll get used to it quick. And honestly, I don't love 'Master' either. 'Master' or whatever sounds too stiff."
"Then what should I call you?"
At my question, Tikhe smirked like she'd been waiting and leaned in close.
Her relaxed expression, like she was about to hum a tune, felt ominous.
"Honey."
"...What? H-honey?"
I nearly spat out my meat.
That face whispering 'honey' in my ear? Way too lethal for my heart.
I recoiled in shock, and she burst into giggles.
"Your reaction's adorable. Hate it? Then 'darling'? 'Dear'?"
"No, absolutely not! What if someone hears outside?!"
"Oh, then just when we're alone?"
Pure mischief. No countering that.
I resisted fiercely but got swept into the goddess's pace. Better than 'dear,' I surrendered.
"...Haa, fine. But only when it's just us."
"Got it, honey."
My neck already felt stiff.
I glanced once more at her precarious dress and continued,
"You can't go out in that. You'll get reported."
"Now that you mention it. Mind if I try this 'internet' thing after we eat?"
"Internet? Yeah, better to shop online from home anyway. Easier for me too."
"What's the budget?"
"Plenty of money, so buy whatever."
Tikhe nodded in satisfaction and popped meat into her mouth.
I took a bite too. Even reheated, it melted tenderly.
The barren studio felt like a real home with the three of us eating together.
Title: Hey, anyone check rank 1 Blanc's time just now?
Blanc's 8th floor clear and the worldwide ejection—exact down to the second. This bitch is 99% the culprit.
Chill on the baseless hate. You think only one guy cleared at that time?
For real, total coincidence. What, Blanc's the admin now?
Honestly, the timing's too perfect.
While I sat gaping at the lavish table, the Korean Hunter Association headquarters was pure hell.
"Ha, fucking hell."
Kang Han-cheol, president of the Korea Hunter Association, pinched his throbbing brow. Age 60 this year. Until recently, he'd been an active S-rank making waves.
He could still hit the field, but out of respect, they'd begged him to take the presidency—a job that didn't suit his constitution.
"The system's all set; nothing major to do," they'd said.
Then [Inflation] hit mid-term, flipping the whole system upside down.
His desk overflowed with real-time reports. Damage tallies from rising difficulties, protests from forcibly ejected hunters, and the awakener surge.
"President, summons from the National Assembly."
"President, emergency call from the U.S. branch."
"President, crime rates spiking with the awakener boom."
Intercoms blared nonstop in his ears, unsolvable problems piled before his eyes.
He wanted to quit. Smashing monster skulls in a dungeon would be a hundred times less stressful.
Kang Han-cheol skimmed reports, then habitually pulled up Hunter Gallery on his phone.
Info sometimes leaked faster from communities than official docs... Nah, truth was, it was one of his secret hobbies.
Hunter Gallery was chaos like the Association. He scrolled blankly, pausing at one post.
His face stayed impassive, but an S-rank hunter's "gut" from decades on the edge screamed.
Blanc.
He'd heard the name. Talented folk eventually came crawling; no need to hunt them down.
Unlike guilds rabidly scouting talent, the Association wasn't that idle.
But this felt different. His S-rank instincts whispered.
'This one might just...'
Kang Han-cheol stroked his rough beard and buzzed his direct secretary.
"Investigate Blanc right now. Full background, recent movements—everything. And request cooperation from all guilds. Any info on rank 1 Blanc, no matter how trivial, share it all."
The secretary sounded flustered, but Kang Han-cheol was already fixated on "Blanc" in the gallery screen.