Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: It's a Chance!
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It's a chance!
The next morning in Miracle Management's CEO office.
Sunlight pouring through the window illuminated Siwoo's back.
He reviewed the stack of documents on his desk while issuing instructions to Team Leader Jeong Ho-yeon, who sat opposite him.
"Team Leader. Let's wrap up all the remaining rental contracts for Hunter Lee Jia."
Jeong Ho-yeon handed over a file as if he'd been waiting for it.
"Yes, sir. I already informed them that along with the penalty fee, we'd grant priority rights for the next contract."
"Well done. Then have the promo team prepare new promotional materials again."
"Understood."
Jeong Ho-yeon nodded and gathered the documents before leaving.
Siwoo immediately picked up his smartphone and made a call.
[Yes! CEO Han! I was just about to contact you!]
It was Guillotine Guild's scouting team leader.
The voice on the other end brimmed with excitement.
It dripped with regret over losing Choi Min-seok to White Tiger Guild last time.
"Team Leader. Sorry about what happened last time. As an apology, how about a good offer?"
[Oh! What is it? Don't tell me...?]
"Yes, it's the contract for Lee Jia, who just became S-rank."
Siwoo paused for effect before dropping the bombshell.
"We originally promised to rent her out alongside Min-seok for his next contract, but you can't expect to get an S-rank hunter as a 1+1 deal."
[...S-so you're renting out Hunter Lee Jia?]
The man made a choking sound.
"Of course. The terms will be identical to what you proposed for Min-seok. And it starts one month from now."
[Oh man! Thank you! One month is no issue at all! I'll bring the contract right over!]
"Take your time."
After hanging up, Siwoo leaned deeply into his chair.
A satisfied smile curved his lips.
That was when it happened.
Slam.
The office door flew open, and Lee Jia walked in.
She was normally scheduled for dungeon raids until late evening, but Siwoo checked his watch with an indifferent expression, as if he'd anticipated it.
"Jia? You're back already?"
"Yes! I'm home!"
Lee Jia replied energetically as she approached Siwoo's desk.
Sweat beaded on her face, but her expression was brighter and more confident than ever.
With her shoulders squared and chin slightly raised, she looked just like a child seeking praise.
"Guess becoming S-rank made it a bit... easier."
She subtly showed off her power.
It was clear she was desperate to prove to Siwoo that she was plenty strong and useful to him.
Siwoo closed the documents and looked at her.
"Impressive. A raid team would've taken all day for that dungeon."
"Hehe, this much is nothing."
"Great work. You're really dependable."
"...!"
Lee Jia's face bloomed at Siwoo's praise.
She looked like she owned the world.
"Then... I'll head out. Keep up the good work."
She turned away reluctantly.
But instead of leaving, she paced around the sofa.
She kept stealing glances at Siwoo, her lips twitching as if she had something to say.
'Kim Ye-eun's not here...'
The office held only Siwoo and her right now.
Ye-eun, who was always stuck to him like glue, was at the association getting her hunter registration card.
It was a golden opportunity.
Too precious to let slip away.
'I want to talk to him. I want to stay together longer.'
As she hesitated, Siwoo rose from his seat.
He slipped on his jacket and stared straight at her.
"Jia."
"Y-yes?!"
"Have you eaten lunch?"
"N-no! Not yet..."
"Perfect. Neither have I."
Siwoo approached Jia.
"How about lunch together?"
"...Huh?"
Lee Jia's eyes went wide as saucers.
She wondered if she'd misheard.
"Ah, sorry. That was too abrupt. If you're uncomfortable..."
"N-no! G-good, I love it! Totally love it!"
Her tongue tripped in her fluster.
Her face turned red as a ripe tomato.
Her heart pounded against her ribs.
Lunch, just the two of them.
'It's a chance!'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Siwoo's car, passenger seat.
Lee Jia sat primly buckled in, but inside, her heart churned like a stormy sea.
'What do I do? My heart's about to burst out.'
She stole side-glances at Siwoo's profile as he drove.
His hands on the wheel always looked so reliable.
'Is my outfit okay? Makeup not smudged?'
She kept checking her face in the rearview mirror.
She regretted not spritzing perfume, worried about sweat smell.
'Good thing I hurried back...!'
Returning in time for lunch had landed her this luck.
"We're here."
The car came to a smooth stop.
The place Siwoo had brought her was a top-tier French restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam.
The kind where even celebrities lined up and reservations were impossible without pull.
The valet opened the door for her.
As Jia stepped out, people waiting at the entrance murmured.
"Hey, isn't that Lee Jia?"
"Yeah! The one who just hit S-rank!"
"Wow, she's way prettier in person. Who's the guy? Han Siwoo, the CEO?"
Whispers reached her ears.
Gazes that would've felt burdensome any other day now made her puff up with pride.
Standing beside Siwoo, she felt acknowledged as his partner.
Siwoo naturally escorted her inside.
The manager bowed politely in greeting.
"Right this way to your reserved room."
Soft lighting and classical music filled the killer atmosphere.
Jia barely sat down, too busy clutching her racing heart.
'I-it's nothing special! Just the CEO treating me to lunch! Calm down, Jia. Don't overthink.'
She took a sip of water to wet her dry throat.
But Siwoo's next words nearly snapped her fraying thread of reason.
"I reserved this place on a whim since it seemed like somewhere you'd want to go. If it's not to your liking, just say so."
"H-how did you...?"
Jia's eyes shook like there was an earthquake.
It was the exact spot she'd liked and hearted on SNS a few days ago.
For Siwoo to know that.
'Does he... follow my SNS?'
Unaware or not of her thoughts, Siwoo smiled.
"Haha. Of course I know."
'O-of course?!'
Jia blushed and ducked her head.
Her hand trembled around the fork.
'What do I do? My heart's really gonna stop!'
Throughout the course meal, Jia barely tasted her food, unsure if it went in her mouth or nose.
She just wished this time across from Siwoo, chatting, would last forever.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ An hour later, the two who had finished eating got back in the car.
Jia was drunk on her fluffy mood.
She didn't want to return to the office just yet.
She felt like going for a drive anywhere.
That's when Siwoo pulled a small velvet case from his pocket and handed it over.
"A gift."
"Huh...?"
With trembling hands, Jia took the case and opened it.
A platinum necklace emitting a lustrous blue glow lay inside.
Mystical mana swirled within the gem.
It was the S-rank artifact [Saintess's Tear] he'd taken from Kang Tae-hyung's secret safe.
"Thank you... It's so beautiful."
"It's an artifact that aids healing and regeneration."
Siwoo explained calmly.
"After that incident, I've been a bit worried. Even as an S-rank, your body can still get hurt."
Jia's chest tightened at his words.
She'd failed to protect him and let him get hurt, yet here he was worrying about her and preparing such a precious gift.
Guilt and gratitude surged together.
"But... you were the one who got hurt."
"I'm fine."
Siwoo said firmly.
He looked at Jia with eyes full of trust.
"You'll protect me if anything happens."
"......"
"Right?"
Jia gripped the necklace tightly and nodded vigorously.
"Yes! I'll protect you no matter what!"
Her vow rang through the car.
It was right then.
Thud-!
A dull noise rocked the vehicle.
"Eek!"
Jia screamed.
Something had flown in at tremendous speed and smashed into the passenger window.
"Wh-what?!"
Siwoo and Jia both looked toward the window.
And they were stunned.
Outside the window. A human face was plastered flat against the glass.
A face squished like a washboard.
Nose and mouth mashed beyond recognition, but those eyes burned clear.
Kim Ye-eun's eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"......"
Jia stifled a scream midway.
'Thought it was a ghost...'
Ye-eun clung to the window, glaring inside the car.
More precisely, at Jia in the passenger seat. Her eyes screamed, 'That's my spot, get out.'
Siwoo sighed and lowered the passenger window.
Whirr-
As the glass descended, Ye-eun's flattened face sprang back.
She grabbed the door frame and yelled breathlessly.
"Why's she sitting there?!"
"...Kim Ye-eun."
Ye-eun wore an expression of utter injustice.
She'd gone obediently to register as a hunter, and in that short time, Jia had swooped in.
Passersby began murmuring and staring at the car.
"Get in first. People are watching."
Siwoo unlocked the back door.
"Hurry."
Ye-eun pouted indignantly and yanked open the rear door.
The moment she got in, the air in the car turned icy.
"We're heading out."
Siwoo gripped the wheel again.
Throughout the drive, he felt stinging glares through the rearview mirror.
Ye-eun was lasering the back of Jia's head like a death ray.
Jia, meanwhile, hummed a cheerful tune.
An interloper had appeared, but today was her total victory.
Delicious meal, a gift.
And above all, watching Ye-eun lose it in jealousy felt like it cured her indigestion.
She deliberately fondled the necklace Siwoo gave her and turned around.
"Oh my, Ye-eun. Did you get your hunter ID okay? You must be exhausted."
"......"
"We just ate. Should've gotten something to go for you. Too bad."
Ye-eun's eyebrow twitched.
"Hmph."
Ye-eun crossed her arms and turned to look out the window.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Moments later, the car pulled into St. Mary's Hospital parking lot.
"Where's this?"
Ye-eun asked curtly, and Jia replied with a smug look of superiority.
"Oh, first time here for you, huh? CEO, we're here to see Jiyu."
"I'm coming too!"
She stuck right behind Siwoo, glaring daggers at Jia as they entered the hospital lobby.
The tense standoff continued even in the elevator.
Siwoo swallowed dryly amid the suffocating silence between the two women.
'This is exhausting.'
The cost of escorting two S-rank hunters was no joke.
Sixth-floor ward.
He headed to the room at the end of the hall with familiar steps.
Knock knock.
"Jiyu, may I come in?"
Siwoo asked softly and opened the door.
"CEO!"
Choi Ji-yu, sitting on the bed scrolling her smartphone, beamed happily.
Her complexion was still poor.
"You came? Dad told me you'd stop by."
"How's your body feeling?"
"Totally better! I could discharge now, but the doctor won't let me."
Ji-yu pouted but looked at Siwoo with eyes brimming with affection.
"Hi, Jiyu! Big sis is here again."
Lee Jia greeted her warmly as she entered.
Ji-yu waved back happily.
"Jia sis! Wow, you're even prettier today?"
"Thanks. Brought you a snack."
Jia handed over the treats she'd bought, creating a warm atmosphere.
Grumpy-faced Ye-eun followed her in.
Step.
Ye-eun stood casually behind Siwoo and gazed at the girl on the bed.
But then.
The moment their eyes met Ji-yu's.
"......"
Ye-eun's pupils narrowed slightly.
In her eyes, an alien energy flickered behind Ji-yu.
An aura invisible to normal people, visible only to those close to death.
A faint but distinct purple haze.
It was an aura Ye-eun knew all too well.
A scent of death different from the ghostly qi she'd absorbed. It was a curse.
"Uh."
A short gasp escaped Ye-eun's lips.
"Ye-eun?"
Siwoo sensed something off and turned around.
Ye-eun ignored the call, staring blankly at Ji-yu.