Chapter 7
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Ragged and Starving
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Sejin stumbled out of the dark woods, grunting and groaning, looking like an absolute mess.
Any beggar would’ve thrown a fit, thinking their turf had been invaded.
Grrrrumble—
Her stomach let out a thunderous growl, right when she was already exhausted from battling Queen Hornet, both body and soul drained.
At this rate, I could set sail.
Starving and suddenly sentimental, Sejin gazed at the fading sun.
Ah, how miserable.
"What the hell am I even doing?"
Sejin stared blankly at the red dot on the back of her hand.
Still just Breaking Army Star.
Who would ever appreciate all the effort she poured into racing around, body and soul, to prevent the apocalypse?
Not that it mattered. Even Mom and her sister Sea had no idea what she was up to.
They just saw her as a worthless NEET who’d bombed the college entrance exam and given up on retaking it.
Mom and Sea had been floored by her score, which was basically like she’d filled in bubbles blindfolded.
You... actually read and answered these, right?
Mom, doubting her child’s intelligence.
You didn’t just copy someone else’s?
Sea’s voice grew louder, unable to believe her sister’s abysmal grade.
It was so bad, suggestions of retaking the exam didn’t even come up.
Everyone... I paved the way from the bottom. Step on me and go ahead!
Sejin had emerged from the exam hall sprinkling tears, exactly as expected, but her family hadn’t anticipated it.
They thought she’d snap out of it eventually, but two years later, she was still a freeloading bum.
And not even one with grit—she’d quit every part-time job after a few days.
What was the point of getting a job when Breaking Army Star nagged her nonstop every time an undetected gate popped up, making it impossible to hold one down?
Even Mom, who’d started off coaxing her gently, seemed half-resigned now.
Well... as long as she’s healthy. As long as her limbs are intact... Yeah, that’s what matters. And she’s a good kid at heart...
Mom’s words of resignation dragged on, unclear if they were for Sejin or just self-consolation.
That final nail in the coffin—confirmation that Mom had given up on her—left Sejin unable to cry or laugh.
The healthy bum destined to save the world from doom swallowed her unspeakable story and choked up.
Folks! I don’t even expect appreciation for my hard work—just please don’t come hunting me down. Boo-hoo.
Suddenly, Sejin let out a wail, then yelled into the empty air.
"Uwaaaah!"
Clutching her head over her pitiful fate, she stomped around in place.
"The apocalypse. That’s what I’m doing, right?"
Was she just putting on a solo tearful tantrum? Sejin bit her lip.
[Kid. Sigh. Tsk.]
Breaking Army Star pitied her too, clicking his tongue but holding back the lecture that was about to spill out.
"Whatever. Let’s just eat."
Whining wouldn’t change anything, and getting pissed wouldn’t improve the situation. At least she could prevent doom by throwing herself into it.
She tried stuffing her head with positive thoughts, but the fuse was already lit and spent.
Sejin trudged toward the gukbap restaurant she’d bolted from mid-meal earlier.
They say even a ghost who eats well before dying has a nice glow.
[Wouldn’t it be better to head somewhere else?]
Sejin shook her head at Breaking Army Star’s worried voice. She knew what he was fretting over, but going elsewhere might be riskier right now.
"They’ll obviously start searching from the direction I fled. That guy’s pretty ruthless, huh?"
[True enough.]
Last time, she’d bolted blindly in one direction and nearly freaked out spotting Han Kitae waiting ahead. She’d barely escaped getting caught after a clean getaway.
Sejin shook her head vigorously, looking queasy.
"Better to hide nearby."
[Sounds good.]
Breaking Army Star agreed, affirming her decision.
"Ugh, look at me, total beggar vibes."
Sejin scowled at her disheveled state from tangling with Queen Hornet.
At the edge of a mountain path rarely trodden by people, Sejin unzipped the black backpack slung over her shoulder.
Inside were spare clothes she’d packed ahead. She grabbed a clean set, glanced around sharply, and changed in a flash.
Just swapping a black hoodie for gray made her look worlds better than before.
Her hat-flattened hair was another story. Sejin yanked off the black cap and shook it out against her thigh.
After all the rolling around catching Queen Hornet, it was caked in dirt.
She readjusted the cap and shuffled onward slowly.
"Ha, I’m beat."
Her nerves on edge, never knowing when government hunters might pounce, left her body aching all over.
Stress-induced muscle pain or something? She walked on with idle thoughts.
"Oof, every bone in my body’s throbbing."
Breaking Army Star stayed silent despite her whining, which didn’t match her age. Maybe that was his way of comforting her.
Having spent ages together, he knew her temperament. He got that it was just venting.
Just as she knew Breaking Army Star well, he knew her too—and that consideration drew a deep sigh from Sejin.
Bad thoughts, begone!
She shoved images of her ragged self from her mind, recalling Mom’s nagging about wandering around like a hobo at her age.
Even as she dragged her feet, Sejin brushed off the dust on her clothes several times.
Reaching the bridge at last, she scanned her surroundings.
The river flowing beneath was already tinged yellow by the sunset.
"My whole body hurts."
Having narrowly dodged Han Kitae again today, Sejin grumbled as she trudged along.
[Hang in there just a bit longer, Sejin... This lonely, grueling fight will end someday.]
Even Breaking Army Star’s comfort couldn’t lift her slumped shoulders.
What sin did I commit in my past life? Wait—no, did I even commit any?
If this life’s difficulty was this high... Unless she’d sold out the country in her previous one, how else?
Was I a traitor in my past life?
At the fundamental question, Sejin halted dead in her tracks.
No way... She was Cheonhui’s soul, so not a traitor, right?
"Ha, damn it. The more I think, the madder I get."
She’d definitely tried thinking positive, but a moment’s lapse and rage bubbled up.
[C-calm down. It’s just hunger talking!]
Who do you take me for, a glutton? As Sejin geared up to snap at the coddling words, her stomach roared again.
Her gut twisting in hunger, she clutched it with one hand.
"Ah, my stomach’s burning."
She should’ve eaten gukbap instead of watching the news.
And why’d Han Kitae pop up on screen out of nowhere... Ruining her meal.
That wasn’t all.
Recalling the attack that flew at her earlier made goosebumps rise involuntarily.
That was a real kill shot.
If it’d hit, instant death.
If she hadn’t caught Queen Hornet today... She’d have been nabbed for sure.
Maybe catching her was a blessing?
A blessing, right?
Still, she could never get used to that appearance.
Probably never, ever.
How do you adapt to a massive hornet?!
[Sigh. If you hadn’t caught Queen Hornet today, who knows what would’ve happened. Chilling just thinking about it.]
Breaking Army Star shared the sentiment, calling the capture a stroke of great luck.
Luck, right?
From now on, summoning Queen Hornet would make her flinch every time.
Am I in a position to be picky? No discriminating against spirit beasts.
Sejin tidied her stray hairs, steeling herself.
[Eat first, think later. Sejin, there’s a shop up ahead!]
A savory aroma wafted from the shop they’d reached.
Sejin pushed open the glass door and froze, hand still on the handle.
Oh crap, we’re screwed?
She blinked in disbelief, but the bright red hair wouldn’t vanish from view.
Why the hell are you here?
Dum-dum-dum, a cheerful beat and familiar tune auto-played in her head.
Their eyes met dead-on, and Sejin stiffened.
[Eek! Th-that guy!]
Sejin schooled her shocked expression at Breaking Army Star’s fussing voice.
But her dilated pupils betrayed her, eyes darting like reeds in the wind.
[Isn’t that the Silver Spirit Guild Leader? Do Jaegyu, right?]
This... is too much, isn’t it?
As Breaking Army Star said, sitting in this fifty-year-old gukbap joint was none other than Do Jaegyu.
She nearly blurted out, Bro, why’re you here?
The day was exhausting enough already. Why you too...
We’re screwed.
No backing out now with a backstep. Their eyes had locked squarely.
Red alarms blared wee-oo-wee-oo in her head.
We are so screwed!