Chapter 96
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Wrapping Up at the Seol Residence
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Two days after lightly sparring with Seol Ye-eun using magic.
Today, after finishing my usual morning magic training with Seol Yu-bin and taking a short break, just as I was about to start afternoon training.
"Ah, Hyun-sol, I think we need to push back today's afternoon magic training a bit."
Seol Yu-bin, who had been giggling at the TV in a slightly embarrassed position, suddenly looked at me as if she'd remembered something.
"A guest is coming around 5 o'clock."
"A guest? What kind of guest?"
"The big boss of the Korean Hunter Association, Yoon Seo-jun."
"...Really?"
'Ho, that's intriguing.'
The relationship between the Hunter Association and the Seven Great Guilds couldn't exactly be called cordial, so it was pretty unexpected for two figures who could be considered the leaders of their respective factions to meet.
Then again, from another angle, there wasn't anything particularly odd about it.
Ice Castle was the only one among the Seven Great Guilds that had been friendly toward the Association since ancient times.
Still, a question was a question, so I pondered for a moment before cautiously speaking up.
"What's the reason for the Association President to visit?"
"Reason? Hmm... Well, officially, it's like one of those occasional meetings between the guild and the Association when there's time."
"And unofficially?"
"Hmm... Just my guess, but probably something tied to the recent multi-gate incident. Maybe he wants to ask a favor."
Seol Yu-bin answered my questions one by one with friendly patience, then tore open a bag of snacks shoved into the corner of the sofa.
She popped a potato chip into her mouth, chewed thoughtfully, and suddenly nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, that has to be it. No other reason for him to come munch munch."
"I see."
I wanted more details, but from her behavior and expression, it seemed like prying further wouldn't yield anything.
So I casually grabbed a few potato chips from the bag and popped them into my mouth.
"Anyway, so no more training today because of entertaining the guest... When are you heading out?"
"Who knows. After all the business is done, I suppose."
"So no training tomorrow either?"
"No~ Not that. Mom will handle everything else once the Ice Castle stuff is wrapped up. She could handle the Ice Castle matters too, but officially, I'm the Guild Master."
"Got it. Understood for now."
I scooped up a few more potato chips, ate them, then stood first.
"You know, the timing works out pretty well. Sophia's arriving in Korea soon, and I was planning to pick her up. It's okay if I don't greet Yoon Seo-jun in person, right?"
"Of course~ Go on."
Seol Yu-bin, already refocusing on the TV, waved me off lightly without even glancing my way.
I gave a light nod in return, left the room, and quickly started prepping for the airport.
After waiting near the airport gate for 30 minutes, a familiar mop of turquoise hair entered my view first.
Sophia Litwell.
Even from a good distance away, there was no mistaking her.
She stood out with such peerless beauty that everyone around her faded into the background.
I raised a hand and waved lightly.
"Sophia!"
Sophia, who had been glancing around as if searching for me, lit up the instant she spotted me.
"Hyun-sol!"
She bounced toward me on light steps, clearly thrilled.
I took her luggage easily.
"This way. Let's head straight to the Seol Residence. I was gonna bring Yu-bin noona too, but she's tied up with a guest today."
I turned toward the taxis—but someone lightly grabbed my wrist.
"...Huh?"
Looking back, Sophia had my wrist in her pale hand.
Her eyes had taken on a strange glint; she clearly had something to say.
"What's wrong? Something up?"
"...Hyun-sol. Instead of going right away... could we hang out in Seoul a little first?"
"Hang out... first?"
Sophia's expression was less a plea and more eager anticipation.
I mulled it over.
Originally, I'd planned to bring her back to the Seol Residence and dive into magic training.
But my sessions with Seol Yu-bin were on hold anyway, and I could train with Sophia anytime a gap opened up.
Plus—I recalled how I'd barely fulfilled any of her past requests due to lack of time. So I decided on a detour.
"Sure, let's hang out a bit."
I nodded with a smile.
"Today, we'll do whatever you want."
Of course, I worried the Oath of Indulgence might seize the chance for some nonsense.
But I'd grown somewhat accustomed to it by now, confident I could handle most tricks.
"...For real?"
"Yeah. For real."
She drew a short breath, released my hand naturally—but pivoted with a subtly joyful bounce.
"Then let's hurry! Not much time!"
"Yeah, let's go!"
On the airport train to downtown, Sophia stared out the window the whole time.
Rapidly passing rivers and roads, dense clusters of buildings.
"I always think it when I come, but Korea's a bit chaotic—yet really pretty."
Sophia murmured quietly.
I gazed at her profile.
"Pretty different from England or the Litwell estate, right?"
"Yeah. There... it's too quiet. Your cities feel alive somehow."
"Huh. Glad you think so. Anyway, decided on a first stop?"
Sophia pondered briefly, then beamed.
"Myeongdong!"
"Myeongdong? Why there of all places? Plenty of spots with more fun and sights."
"First time was too hectic to really see it. Want to take it slow today."
"Alright then. Myeongdong it is."
And so we headed straight for Myeongdong.
Myeongdong's streets brimmed with massive shops, garish signs vying for attention.
Throngs of people everywhere, snippets of diverse languages drifting from all sides.
Sophia halted before a small luxury boutique.
"...Hyun-sol. This necklace—isn't it gorgeous?"
"Gorgeous. Would suit you perfectly."
"Really?"
She shot me a quick glance, smiled softly, and slipped inside.
Minutes later, she emerged with a paper shopping bag in hand.
"Bought it? Quick on the draw."
"Yeah. Our first shopping pick together... wanted it as a keepsake."
"Oh... that meaningful, huh?"
"Obviously."
A smile full of layers.
Impossible to parse as joke or earnest.
That vibe from Sophia sparked another twinge of unease, but I brushed it off—should be fine—and we kept walking.
We wandered more spots after that.
At a street food stretch, we grabbed hot dogs and strolled amid the clamor.
"This is good."
Sophia gushed more than I'd expected.
"First time?"
"Yeah. Last visit, no time thanks to training."
"Then today, gotta sample all the good stuff."
"Exactly!"
Sophia laughed, hand over her mouth.
At the busking area, we paused for the music.
Sophia toed the ground lightly to the beat—somehow, just a touch like any girl her age.
Not the tangled noble's daughter. Not the drilling mage. Not some fantasy heroine archetype. Just... a friend on vacation.
"Hyun-sol."
"?"
"This is a first."
Sophia said slowly.
"Always crushed under the 'top magic genius' label, suffocating pressure driving nonstop training... Thanks to you, I feel a bit lighter."
"...Yeah?"
I matched her pace.
"Glad to hear it. I worried sometimes, seeing you buried in magic research at the library all day."
"Really?"
"Really. So if you crave more chill time later, just say. I'll make it happen."
"...Okay."
She nodded softly.
But her lips betrayed a faint, slipping smile.
We took a cafe break. By dusk, we hit the streets again.
Red glows bleeding between buildings, sky awash in sunset.
Sophia fussed with her bag carefully.
"...Time to head to the Seol Residence?"
"Yeah. Too late, and they'll worry."
Weaving through crowds toward the station, Sophia spoke up suddenly.
"Hyun-sol."
"Yeah?"
"Like I said, today was so fun—thanks to you."
No lightness in her tone.
Pure sincerity, crystalline voice.
"Never imagined I could have a day like this."
She paused a beat—eyes dipping low, then meeting mine.
"Thank you."
I smiled lightly.
"Fun for me too. Next chance... let's do it again."
"Yeah... let's."
Thus, the sudden but delightful day drew slowly to a close.
That same hour, atop a hill overlooking the entire Seol Residence.
Beneath a night sky where moonlight blazed bright, demonic mana—unnatural and thick—seeped out, compressing the air around them.
Dozens of demonkin waited on that hill, raid preparations complete.
Leading them: Chae Yeon-hwa. Beside her loomed a man with vast wings, jet-black horns, and a body armored like chitin.
Lord of Comparison Raes Belquel.
Among lord-class demons, infamous for towering pride and utter disdain for others.
He spoke without turning, voice dripping revulsion.
"Chae Yeon... no, Kallinoah. I'll say it again—utterly repulsive. On the cusp of an apostle's descent, and a succubus like you dares lead the operation."
Not mere scorn—raw rejection of her very being.
Chae Yeon-hwa held her smile.
"Is that so? How unfortunate."
Raes's piercing gaze flicked sideways.
"Mocking me?"
"Not at all. I reserve this kindness for those I dislike."
"...Hmph."
Raes scoffed.
"Lowly species through and through—even your tongue's arrogant."
Chae Yeon-hwa blinked indifferently.
"And yet a lowly succubus stands as the Apostle of Lust's first retainer. Wonder what face our master would make hearing that... Hmm, no idea. But intriguing."
Raes's face twisted faintly.
"...Your 'master' is irrelevant. This operation matters."
He steadied his tone, gazing down at the Seol Residence.
"We're striking the prime site for the apostle's descent.
A colossal scheme—four lords in sync. Yet—"
His eyes snapped to Kallinoah.
"—why are you here? Just don't drag us down.
Failure's not an option."
Chae Yeon-hwa caressed Blood Petal Fall's blade lovingly.
And smiled, oh so gently.
"Drag down...? Never have. Though I've cleaned up when others got caught."
"You—"
"Anyway."
She cut him off smoothly.
"I'll stick to my role. Guard the Descent Formation Array. Support the other lords if needed.
Official command's yours, Lord Raes, correct?"
"...Correct."
"Then we're good. I'll follow orders."
Something snagged; Raes's glare honed razor-sharp.
"...Still repulsive, you filthy lowborn."
Chae Yeon-hwa tilted her head, flashing a playful smile like at a jest.
"Heard that so often now, it feels like praise."
Raes eyed her smile briefly, tsked, gaze drifting beyond the night sky.
"Tch. Soon, the Apostle of Arrogance Theovain reveals himself here."
A chill gust from below the Seol Residence grazed their feet.
Raes unfurled his wings—deeming it unworthy of more words.
"Final prep today. For the grand cause alone."
Shuwaaak—!
His black-dragon-twisted wings spread vast; Raes soared into shadow.
Chae Yeon-hwa watched his retreat silently, then whispered.
"...Who’s truly vulgar here? I... no."
She trailed off, glancing skyward.
The heavens, uncannily clear—all stars aglitter.
"Such a beautiful sky. Will my choice lead to my true dream? Tomorrow tells."
Chae Yeon-hwa lingered on the sky a moment, then turned—vanishing into the darkness encircling the Seol Residence.