Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Happiness Apartment
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Han So-yeon was a resilient woman.
No, a resilient human.
This wasn't subjective judgment—it was objective fact.
Serving as an apostle to Hippolyte, the Amazon Queen, she possessed every ability required of a warrior.
Exceptional physical control and strength, unyielding mental fortitude, keen situational awareness and judgment, and above all, Hippolyte's blessing.
Excluding those superhumans who had conquered towers and far surpassed ordinary humans, or the constellations fixed in the heavens above, there couldn't have been more than a hundred people like her in the entire world.
Yet this resilient warrior, Han So-yeon, was now gasping for breath beneath her blankets.
Her wide-open eyes, unable to fully close, were bloodshot, and her hands and feet trembled uncontrollably.
"My great warrior, are you alright?"
She couldn't even properly respond to the voice of the queen she served.
The moment she opened her mouth, it felt like all the warmth in her body would drain away.
The moment she closed her eyes, that thing that had swept over her body would return.
Right now, her mind was endlessly replaying the events from just a few hours ago.
The memory of going to Happiness Apartment with the man she'd met while searching for Hippolyte's lost relic.
A sky stained red, and a dim apartment building.
The gaze of monsters that shouldn't exist, peering through windows everywhere.
There, she had seen a black star-like form.
She had perceived something she shouldn't have perceived.
A star filled with chaos and malice, despair and madness, yet infinitely void.
That terribly black and dark star had somehow appeared behind Han So-yeon.
When she came to her senses, all she felt was an unfathomable darkness.
The star, as if composed of all the world's negativity, brushed aside Han So-yeon's will and her queen's blessing with ease and whispered to her.
Your
Warmth
Give
it
to
me
What that "warmth" it spoke of meant was unknowable.
Whether body heat, blood, life itself, or her very existence.
Or perhaps something a mere apostle of an ancient queen could never comprehend.
It was a secret of the world that Han So-yeon could never uncover in her lifetime.
But one thing was certain.
If she had nodded there, she would never have seen the outside world again.
Only a future more horrific than death, shrouded in darkness, would have unfolded before her.
So she had forgotten she was a warrior and could only pitifully beg for her life.
Pathetically, basely.
She could only desperately hope that thing would lose interest in her.
And thanks to that, Han So-yeon was here now.
In the luxury mansion obtained through Hunters' support, in her room filled with soft bedding and stuffed animals.
The warmth within her still hadn't faded, and the black star no longer paid her any mind.
Yet she was still terrified.
By the mere fact that such a thing existed in this world.
And by the fact that a human existed who could control such things so effortlessly.
And by the reality that the primordial evil—whose presence she couldn't even confirm—that had created the place where those things dwelled had descended right in the heart of Seoul.
Suddenly, a question flashed through her mind.
What if those things wanted to destroy this world?
Could the world possibly remain intact?
Perhaps the only reason life still lingered on earth was that those things simply had no desire to end it.
The more she thought about it, the more her hands shook, and her heart pounded wildly.
What if an ant became aware of the mischievous brat tormenting it in front of its anthill?
The resilient warrior chosen by the queen no longer existed here.
Only a pathetic creature trembling in fear of an overwhelming presence huddled beneath the blankets.
Of course, she would overcome this fear someday.
The qualities deemed heroic by the ancient queen would not end here.
But for now, she needed time.
Time for the blessing of oblivion to heal her soul.
Perhaps longer than she thought.
After Han So-yeon left.
I entered the guard room with the cat.
Sure, we'd gone through some unspeakable events, but skipping daily routines was something you could only do up until middle school.
After logging the duty journal and tidying up the guard room.
The cat had somehow climbed onto the desk and was sitting on the rulebook, staring at me.
"Meow."
"What do you mean 'meow', you rascal."
I ruffled its head vigorously.
In response, it closed its eyes and rubbed its head against my palm.
Just looking at this, it seemed like nothing more than an ordinary, friendly cat.
I pinched its face and asked.
"Was that you last time too? The one who messed with that Doru bastard."
"Meow."
"Yeah, yeah, circumstances point to you. What's your name?"
"Meow."
"Right, Meow. How old?"
"Nyaa."
"Nyaa? Nine? You're nine years old?"
"......"
Suddenly, it stopped mid-meow and stared at me intently.
A look like it had a huge question mark floating above its head, if it could.
But I was unfazed.
"What can you do when words don't get through."
No matter how terrifying or bizarre this Meow was, to me, it was just a cat!
Of course, I did feel a twinge of unease.
'I've been treating it so roughly until now.'
From the first day I started working here and met it.
I'd tormented Meow whenever I felt like it.
Hoisting it up with both arms to make some weird disproportionate pose, pinching its face and neck all day, even drawing bathwater nearby once because I wondered if it had parasites and scrubbing it clean.
'But it's a constellation, right?'
Is this okay?
What if later it decides to hang me for daring to toy with it all this time and displays my corpse outside the guard room?
"Nyaa~."
But no matter what I was thinking, Meow seemed utterly carefree.
Seeing that eased my mind a bit.
'Maybe it's not a constellation with super high intelligence.'
I'd heard there was a Quetzalcoatl constellation somewhere in South America that looked scary but acted pretty much like a beast.
Judging by the situation, Meow was probably the same type.
It could communicate to some degree, but no way a constellation with human-level intellect would be prancing around in front of me like this.
'That would actually be a bigger problem.'
So I stopped worrying, hoisted Meow up, and set it in my lap.
"You little punk, this won't do. Stay by my side while I'm working."
"Nyaa."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll pet you, so just stay put."
Whatever Meow's true nature, from now on, this guy was under special supervision.
Better to keep it annoyingly close than let it roam free and knock someone out.
And so I continued my guard duties with Meow in my lap.
'Should I just ask Ro Boss what it looks like?'
The thought crossed my mind, but I didn't act on it.
Unlike me, she could perceive constellations normally, but after seeing what happened to Doru and Han So-yeon...
'She's got a weak heart as it is.'
Showing her the fainting duo and Meow would basically be terrorism.
A wicked act you absolutely shouldn't do unless you plan to inherit the apartment ownership!
And so, while checking the CCTV with Meow until afternoon...
Ring ring.
The old phone in the guard room rang.
As expected, it was Ro Boss.
"I've got the phone."
-Hello, Han-sik. No issues today, right?
She'd said on my first day that she only needed a report when I clocked out, but after a few days, she started calling around this time.
Since she slept during the day, it was probably her wake-up routine.
"Ah, about that."
Anyway, I summarized the day's events for Ro Boss.
That included stuff about Han So-yeon and Meow.
I had no intention of showing her Meow directly, but better safe than sorry if something happened.
'Last thing I want is to come in and find Ro Boss passed out.'
But surprisingly, she didn't seem all that shocked.
-I see, so that happened.
"Heh heh, don't worry. I won't let it near you, Boss."
-Oh, that's not a problem.
"Pardon?"
-It doesn't bite me. It's well-behaved and listens, so that's why I let it stay.
"Wait, you knew it lived here?"
-Of course? It's even in the rulebook. Didn't you see?"
"......"
For real?
There was a mention in the rulebook?
I frantically checked the rulebook at Ro Boss's words.
But still, only rules 1 and 2 were visible on top.
'It's not there!'
I scrubbed my eyes and looked again. Same result.
Just the basic duties, rules 1 and 2.
But I didn't say that straight out.
"Ah, I must've missed it. I'll make sure to note it properly from now on."
A superior's mistake is never a mistake—it's intent.
I'm not the type of subordinate to nitpick over something this minor when things have been good otherwise.
-Oh, no. You're already doing more than enough.
Look at that.
When I speak nicely, even Ro Boss holds back!
'But that's unexpected.'
If Ro Boss knew about it, then Meow probably didn't look that scary.
So why did Han So-yeon freak out so much?
Maybe she's more timid than I thought?
No clue.
Anyway, back to work.
"Oh right, one more thing to report."
-Yes, what is it?
"A black car's been circling the area a lot. Didn't seem like it was coming in, so I left it alone, but I figured you should know."
-Really?
"Yeah. At first I thought I was hallucinating or something, but no. Plate's 87 2242. You might wanna watch out if you see those kids."
Could just be someone lost, or not.
-Yes, thank you for letting me know.
"Then I'll drop off the lunchboxes later."
With that, I finished the final report and headed to Sauce Ne.
Picked up the lunches as usual, made my rounds through the neighborhood, and returned to Happiness Apartment.
"Enjoy your meal today, Ro Boss."
"Thanks as always."
"No problem. See you tomorrow or the day after."
"Yes. Get home safe."
After bidding farewell to Ro Boss, I got home to find it already evening.
I washed up lightly and hit the bed.
My first weekend since starting guard duty, and I was already floating on air.
'Gotta head out tomorrow evening though.'
It was the appointment with Han So-yeon.
I'd asked her to handle it ASAP, but since Sundays were my only free day, no choice.
Still, knowing I could sleep in lifted my spirits.
Thanks to that, I binged games and YouTube Shorts until 4 a.m. before crashing.
This is exactly how Ro Boss must feel.
Don't try this at home, kids of the new republic.
I woke up around 2 p.m.
Grabbed a light meal, played a few rounds of games, then headed to the pre-arranged spot.
I had a portable light and telescoping baton in hand.
They said the place was deserted, but you never know.
It's common knowledge that vagrants or animals move into abandoned haunted houses.
Anyway, at the meeting spot, the buff guy from before was waiting.
What the...?
I thought Han So-yeon was coming.
"Uh, where's So-yeon?"
"......Sis had work, so I'm filling in today."
That was his answer when I asked why.
Ah, fair enough.
'I'd avoid showing my face too.'
An adult pissing themselves in front of a stranger? Hard to face with any sanity left.
I don't care about social reputation or stares, but normal people do.
"Get in."
I nodded at the buff guy's words and hopped into the prepared car.
No Han So-yeon, so Sonata instead of Ferrari, but it rode fine.
'Get in the Sonata, Shin-ji.'
The destination was the front of some ruined shopping mall.
A bit different from what I expected, I tilted my head and asked.
"This the place?"
"Yeah."
"Wasn't it a tower?"
"......Huh? Isn't it a tower?"
Ah.
Right, it's a pollution zone.
Guess it only looks like this to my eyes.
I shrugged off the buff guy's "what are you on about" look.
He didn't press further.
He'd been reluctant to talk to me from the start anyway.
He silently turned, opened the trunk, and handed me a backpack.
"Take this. You'll want it."
"What's this?"
"Gear for exploration and an underground map marking the target's location. Electronics won't work inside, so use this to find your way."
Aha.
Sure enough, it was packed with tools, medicine, and such.
Strapping on the buff guy's backpack completed my haunted house explorer full kit.
Looked like it came with +15 attack, +10 defense set bonus.
"Any questions? Speak now if you're curious."
As he said that, a sudden realization hit me, so I asked.
"Ah! Just one."
"What?"
"How old are you, mister?"
"......Pardon?"
His eyebrow twitched.
Probably didn't expect that.
But seriously, this needed addressing.
"You've been talking down to me since day one. Makes me feel awkward if it keeps up."
"......"
"You don't do that to someone you're asking a favor from. Even if you're older, I'll let it slide if you're my hyung. How old?"
Groups without clear hierarchy always cause problems later.
So I asked, and a tiny voice not matching his build slipped out.
"......Twenty-seven."
No way.
With that face?
"Call me hyung from now on."
"......"
"Answer."
"......"
"No answer, no work."
"......Yes, hyung-nim."
I chuckled at the bowing guy and headed to the mall.
I heard furious teeth-grinding from behind, but it didn't scare me.
Ever since I saw him get smacked by Han So-yeon, all the intimidation was gone.
Hey? Your sis too?
In front of me?
Just hey?
Let's stop here.
Any more and I'd ruin myself just thinking.
That's when we reached the front of the mall.
ZZZT-.
Sudden static, and my phone light died.
Electronics go dead inside, as expected.
From here on, analog mode.
Pocketed the phone and checked the map from buff guy.
Let's see, entry route.
This way?
I moved as marked on the map.
And thirty minutes later.
I yelled at the dead-end wall.
"......Nothing matches! You fucking bastards!"
What the hell!
Where is this?!