Chapter 87
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Someday, the Day I'll Approach Him Sincerely
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"We're here."
"Yeah, faster than I thought."
Seol Yu-bin and I parked the car nearby upon arriving at the Alchemy Market and stood in front of the automatic doors, pondering for a moment.
We were about 20 minutes early for our appointment—should we go in now or wait until exactly on time?
"What do you want to do?"
"Hmm... Let's just head in. Master Yoo Tae-min doesn't mind late guests, and he won't care about early ones either."
"I see."
Having decided, we promptly stepped forward.
As the Yoo Family Alchemy Market's automatic doors slid open, a warm herbal scent mixed with faint blue steam wafted over our faces.
The moment we entered the market, I spotted Yoo Ji-an standing right in front, hands clasped together as if she'd been waiting for me.
"Oh, you're here!"
She spotted me and approached with her usual bright smile, waving her hand.
"Junior—!!"
Yoo Ji-an, who had been running toward me with excitement, stopped just short, keeping a proper distance, and caught her breath.
Maybe trying to avoid excessive skinship like last time...
"...Can I hug you?"
"No."
"Hmmm."
She quickly fixed her pouty expression and clasped her hands together as she spoke.
"Anyway, vacation ceremony's over, right? But why the long face? Did something stressful happen?"
"How'd you know? I've been dragged into a ton of exhausting stuff since morning because of the lady standing next to me."
When I pointed to Seol Yu-bin, who was standing blankly beside me, Yoo Ji-an shifted her gaze to her.
"Ah! Sorry for the late greeting. I'm Yoo Ji-an. It's truly an honor to meet you! Lady Seol Yu-bin of the Ice Citadel!"
"Nice to meet you too. The future genius alchemist? We're not that far apart in age, so feel free to call me sis."
"Really? Got it! Sis."
After a quick greeting with Seol Yu-bin, Yoo Ji-an turned back to me and asked,
"But what happened? Your face is screaming, 'I've been through so much.'"
"...You'll see if you check the community boards. There must be thousands of photos circulating by now."
"...? Okay, noted. Anyway, we're starting the procedure right away—is that fine? We've verified the equipment at the Yoo Family, so it's safe, but it won't be painless."
"Gotta endure a bit of pain."
"Hng... Saying it like that makes me want to do all sorts of things to you even more, Junior."
"I'll pass on the details of that 'all sorts of things.'"
"Aw, too bad."
Her words were playful, but the trembling in her body and the anticipation in her eyes made her seem like a total perv despite herself.
The game's top pervert, indeed...
Yoo Ji-an stretched out her index finger and asked with a bright smile.
"Oh, and one thing about the academy. The freshman rules are changing next year."
"...? In what way?"
"Stricter official trait verification procedures. And a slight expansion of Student Council authority. Well... it won't affect you anymore, Junior."
"Did the Student Council President make those changes?"
"Half of them. The other half is to prevent all the recent issues."
After finishing her message, Yoo Ji-an's expression shifted to one mixed with pre-procedure nervousness and excitement.
"Then... before we start, let's do a quick check on a few things. Heart rate and tension levels—"
"Heart rate? Is it that dangerous that we need to measure that?"
"Just measuring, that's all. Too much tension could be risky, but..."
She tapped her cheek with her finger and muttered in a very soft voice.
"Well, truthfully, I'm the more nervous one here."
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Let's hurry and get ready!"
With that, I was led by Yoo Ji-an's hand into an elevator, heading somewhere.
Seol Yu-bin, who had been watching Kang Hyun-sol and Yoo Ji-an with a pleased expression, glanced at her smartphone screen.
Then she took the elevator right next to it to the top floor of the market, Yoo Tae-min's lab.
The top-floor lab of the Yoo Family Market.
"It's been a while, owner of the Ice Citadel... and Korea's top troublemaker."
"Long time no see, Teacher. Calling me that still hurts a bit."
"Hah, if you don't like it, fix that habit of turning guild members into ice statues and threatening to smash the Hunter Association every chance you get, even at 26."
Yoo Tae-min continued with an exasperated look.
"Anyway, preparations for trait extraction are complete on schedule. But are you sure about giving all your skills to that Kang Hyun-sol kid for free?
No offense, but hunters would pay a fortune for your skills."
Seol Yu-bin dropped her playful expression at his question.
She put on a serious face befitting a guild master and replied.
"To me, Hyun-sol being grateful for my skills is worth more than gold."
"That Kang Hyun-sol means that much to you? Unexpected."
"Oh? Sounds like you know a bit about Hyun-sol already?"
Yoo Tae-min sighed softly at Seol Yu-bin's innocent stare, as if she knew nothing.
"I looked into him because my granddaughter took an interest.
But the info was excessively hidden or fabricated."
"I see. And?"
"...As I suspected when I heard you were connected to him. You manipulated it, didn't you?"
"......"
Caught red-handed, Seol Yu-bin smiled childishly, cleared her throat a few times, and shrugged.
"Ahem, yes. I did as much as I could reach personally."
"Why?"
"Can't tell you even as my teacher. It's a personal promise between him and me. Anyway."
Seol Yu-bin smoothly changed the subject, maintaining her innocent smile.
"I want you to extract all my skills, unique skill, and auxiliary traits.
I don't know how much of the originals Hyun-sol can handle,
but it'll help him on his journey ahead."
"Sigh... You're still a master at dodging. But as I said last time, it'll be quite difficult.
It'll take time and consume a lot of your resources... You sure?"
"I'm sure."
No hesitation in her answer.
"I see a future where he's in danger, for some reason. No, not just a feeling—I truly saw it. Realized it clearly this time."
Yoo Tae-min fell silent for a moment.
Reading the calm demeanor unique to the Ice Citadel Guild Master and the sincerity in her eyes, he slowly nodded.
"...Alright, no point pushing further. Understood. Actually, we need a bit more prep—come back in about two weeks."
Yu-bin smiled lightly.
"As expected of the best. I'll repay you properly later."
"No need for repayment... Last question."
"Of course. Ask away!"
Seeing her attentive posture, Yoo Tae-min hesitated briefly before slowly, cautiously speaking.
"...At first, I thought it was just one trait, but Ji-an seems more serious about him than I thought."
"Hyun-sol? Yeah, I saw them downstairs earlier—it showed. Pretty cute."
"Talking like an old fogey despite being two years older than my granddaughter... Anyway, one thing I want to know: what's your exact relationship with that boy?"
The air in the lab cooled slightly after the question.
Only the popping bubbles from the boiling blue liquid in the glass beaker sounded unnaturally loud.
Seol Yu-bin didn't answer right away.
Surprisingly, for a very long time.
Even a question she could brush off with a joke seemed to weigh heavily this time, as she pondered deeply.
"...Well."
She quietly moved her lips once, then took seconds to open them again.
In that time, her expression visibly changed.
Not the 'Ice Citadel Queen' who toyed with the world—
But a face gazing far away, recalling one person.
"If you're asking about our relationship... Hmm, the best word is probably that."
"That?"
"A younger brother I unilaterally cherish, and the first man I decided to see through to the end."
Yoo Tae-min tilted his head slightly.
"Not sure what that means, but he's that precious? Enough to give all your skills?"
"Skills are just copies anyway. But him... you can't remake."
It could pass as a light joke, but there was a subtle catch in her voice.
Seol Yu-bin took a breath, then turned her gaze to the distant window.
"Teacher, can I tell you a bit about Hyun-sol?"
"......"
"No, you don't have to listen if you don't want."
"I'm curious, that's why I asked. Go on."
With permission, Yu-bin slowly began.
"Ten years ago, during the Apostle Descent, he lost his parents."
Yoo Tae-min's face subtly hardened.
"......I see."
"Even though most demons in Incheon were cleared, one Lord-class demon rampaged to the end... Remember? The one that feeds on despair, Rakmael."
"Yes. I remember."
Apostles who each held S-Rank Gate-level power, turning areas to ruin upon appearance.
More threatening to humanity than true calamities that descended rarely with long preparations.
"He encountered Rakmael while evacuating. It was tearing through tens of thousands of hunters, hunting prey. He probably doesn't even remember how he survived—it must've been a mess."
Continuing, Seol Yu-bin suddenly let out a small laugh.
Not from joy—but the awkward habit of smiling while telling such a story.
"When he came to, his parents were gone. Only ruins and that monster devouring people right before his eyes."
"...He faced Rakmael directly?"
"Yes. So the world probably looks different to him."
Yu-bin tapped the desk slowly with her finger.
Tap, tap.
"Since that day, his life has had one goal: kill the Lord-class demon, Rakmael, who feeds on despair, with his own hands."
Yoo Tae-min's eyes narrowed.
"Revenge...?"
"More than revenge... Hmm."
Seol Yu-bin lowered her gaze briefly, then nodded.
"No, it's revenge. Revenge, survival, reason to exist. He won't open up to anyone sincerely until he achieves it."
"......"
"Even if it costs his life, he'll try to kill Rakmael.
He's afraid of getting close and hurting others, or losing those near him again..."
Her lips still curved up, but a faint shadow darkened her eyes.
"Funny, right? He survived that, yet doesn't value his own life much."
Yoo Tae-min silently watched her for a long while.
The Ice Citadel's master who joked about freezing the Hunter Association.
Her words were too quiet, too careful for her.
"Giving him your skills and traits... ultimately means—"
"Raising his odds, even a little."
Yu-bin finished for him.
"Odds of killing Rakmael and surviving."
She trailed off briefly, then smiled again.
This time, a different kind of smile.
"So, to answer your question, Teacher."
"......"
"My relationship with Hyun-sol isn't guild master and prospect, or just like a junior."
She shrugged lightly.
"Someone who'll watch by his side until he achieves his goal and survives.
Push his back when needed, take hits for him when necessary... something like that?"
"....."
"And once he finishes all that—only then can I ask something. Like, 'Can I start expecting your true feelings now?'"
A short silence.
It took Yoo Tae-min seconds to realize his question had touched deeper than expected.
Finally, he spoke softly, in a very small voice.
"...Shouldn't have asked."
"No."
Yu-bin shook her head.
"It was a question only you could ask, Teacher."
She added calmly.
"It's fine. He'll definitely achieve his goal and survive."
"That certain?"
"Yes."
Her answer held no doubt.
"Because—"
Seol Yu-bin's eyes curved slightly.
A mix of faint playfulness and sincerity.
"He'll have me behind him, the Yoo Family, and more to come.
The more supporters, the stronger he'll get!"
Only then did Yoo Tae-min let out a long sigh.
"Alright... Understood. Enough questions. Old man's idle curiosity."
"Not idle. Now you'll see Hyun-sol more properly."
Yu-bin pushed back her chair and stood slowly.
"Then I'll head down and check on Hyun-sol. Please handle the prep."
"Go on."
As Seol Yu-bin walked to the door and placed her hand on the knob, she turned back once more.
"Teacher."
"Yes?"
"If... Hyun-sol really kills Rakmael and survives someday."
She took a short breath, smiled lightly, and said,
"Please bring up this conversation again. Let me brag about how right I was."
"Haha... Sure."
The door opened and closed.
In the quiet lab, Yoo Tae-min muttered to himself.
"...Rakmael. The blood spilled during the Apostle Descent still haunts as debt."