Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Something's Changed
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"Um, so you saved this person's... this lady's life. And to repay that kindness, you volunteered to be her slave?"
"That's a fair summary."
I explained my relationship with Hilde in those terms.
I couldn't reveal anything about the gacha, so there was no helping it.
'No other excuse came to mind anyway.'
On an uninhabited island like this, we had no choice but to stick close together.
Pretending for days or even weeks would be impossible.
This was the most comfortable way to describe our master-servant dynamic.
Even Robinson Crusoe ended up with that one Indian guy, right?
Of course, mine was an S-Grade beauty like Hilde, so I was winning big time.
"But in the 21st century, why a slave of all things?"
"It's just a title. If you want to get technical, she's more like a maid. Hilde says she's from a small European nation with nobility. They still hold onto some old customs there."
"Hm, well, there are still countries with nobles or knights, but... a beauty like this as a slave..."
Shin Seom-hwa scanned Hilde with wide-eyed disbelief.
It'd be hard to buy that a woman like Hilde was a slave, yeah.
'Especially since she used to be a princess.'
But when the person herself insists it's true, it's awkward to call it weird to her face.
Besides, she was probably too dazed from the shipwreck to care right now.
I decided to gloss over it quickly.
"More importantly, any clues or anything?"
"Clues?"
"Like memories from before you washed up on the island."
"Hm, nothing special. The ship tilted, I fell into the ocean, and when I opened my eyes, there you were."
Our timelines must have been completely off.
'If she's telling the truth, she was adrift at sea for at least a few days. No way someone survives that long.'
Not even an A-Grade hunter.
It defied common sense.
"But... that doesn't add up a little."
Shin Seom-hwa seemed to realize it too.
"You look like you've been here for quite a while."
Her gaze shifted to our clothes.
I, in particular, was dressed nothing like I had been on the ship.
"Spot on. I didn't track the exact time, but it's been at least a few days."
"A few days?"
Shin Seom-hwa's eyes went wide.
"So you're saying I drifted in the ocean for days?"
"About that... This island has some peculiarities. Especially how the mana flow is cut off—abilities don't work at all here."
"N-No way..."
Shin Seom-hwa reached out with her hand right away.
But nothing happened.
Here, even an A-Grade hunter like her was just an ordinary woman.
"Ahh..."
Her face went pale at the realization that her powers weren't coming out. It must have hit hard.
'Makes sense. Unlike me, hers was powerful and actually useful.'
The stronger the hunter, the more they rely on their abilities.
She was probably feeling the same frustration as someone who couldn't use one of their arms.
"Let's move for now. Monsters show up here sometimes, even if it's rare."
"Yeah... In our current state, running into one would be game over."
"..."
Well, Hilde and I could handle it now, but I kept quiet.
No need to show my hand first, like I said before.
'Plus, Team Leader like this is kinda refreshing.'
Maybe because she'd just come to? She looked drained both physically and mentally.
Her beauty hadn't faded even in this mess, though.
Just not the haughty vibe she always had at the office.
"Get up for now. I've got a place nearby—once we're there, you can relax."
"Ah, um..."
Hilde and I stood first.
But for some reason, Shin Seom-hwa didn't budge.
"Something wrong?"
"My legs are jelly... Could you give me a minute?"
Looking closer, her awkwardly positioned legs were trembling.
Makes sense after getting tossed by the waves.
I was half-dead just crawling up the beach myself at first.
'Don't want to waste time here, though.'
Needed to prep the food we'd salvaged from the sea.
And with one more person, there was a ton to do.
Even heading straight home felt tight on time.
"No choice, then. Hop on my back."
"What?"
Shin Seom-hwa looked up at me in flustered surprise.
Was it really that shocking?
"We need to get back to camp before sunset. This is the fastest way."
"I guess, but..."
Her ears were turning red, and she was fidgeting like crazy.
I was about to say something out of frustration when Hilde raised her hand.
"Ahem! Ahem! Master, would it be alright if I carried her instead?"
"No, Hilde, you're on guard duty."
"Mm..."
Hilde's main weapon was her spear.
Couldn't use it if she was piggybacking someone.
Monsters could strike anytime on this island.
Hilde, our highest level, needed to be ready to fight.
So it made sense for me to take Shin Seom-hwa.
'Could give her permission to use her abilities, but... I don't want to hand that power over right now.'
I didn't think Shin Seom-hwa was the type, but...
She might try to get the upper hand just because she could use her powers.
Worst case, she could threaten me into coughing up resources.
'Permissions can be toggled anytime, so I'd just revoke it if needed.'
Still, being able to use abilities was a huge advantage on this island.
Best to keep it under wraps.
'More importantly, I need her to depend on me as much as possible right now.'
I knew her personality well from our team days.
This was the choice that benefited me most.
"Hop on quick. No one's watching—this isn't the office."
"O-Okay. Thanks."
Shin Seom-hwa climbed onto my back.
She was lighter than expected. Surprised me a bit.
'Part of it's my strength, but Team Leader's pretty petite to begin with.'
How does she keep that figure with such low weight?
Same with Hilde—women's bodies were a bit mysterious.
"Sorry, am I heavy?"
"Not at all. Light as a feather."
I answered honestly, but her hands on my shoulders tensed up.
"Team Leader, don't grip the shoulders—hook your arms around my neck. You'll slip otherwise."
"L-Like this?"
"Yeah, perfect."
I headed into the forest with Shin Seom-hwa on my back.
Hilde's flying alongside with a slightly prickly smile, but I ignored it.
'Wh-What's this?'
Shin Seom-hwa couldn't hide her shock at the sight of our hideout.
A cave as shelter? Sure, that made sense.
But the campfire, tools everywhere, fence at the entrance...
None of this could be done overnight.
'Kim Jin-woo... how did he pull all this off, and when?'
Even accounting for the time difference since we arrived, it was just a few days.
Without powers—no, even with them—could she do the same if told to?
She'd always been confident in society, but honestly? She wasn't sure.
"Impressive. Honestly, never imagined a setup this nice."
"Just got lucky. Truth is, I reawakened a new ability here."
"Reawakened?"
The rare second awakening, only for a select few hunters.
And Kim Jin-woo did it here, on this island?
"What kind of ability?"
"Still nothing combat-related. Lets me summon a warehouse whenever I want."
Kim Jin-woo gestured, and a dagger appeared from thin air.
"Used it to collect and store stuff washed up on the beach. Found you while looking for useful gear, Team Leader."
"So it works here too?"
"Guess so, since I got it on the island."
"Hm..."
Was that why Kim Jin-woo seemed... different somehow?
More confident than back in society.
'Feels like he's even bulked up a bit.'
Hoisted her effortlessly and carried her all this way without breaking a sweat.
Whatever he'd been through, his body had definitely grown.
She could feel the solid muscle even through his clothes.
"Got a lot to talk about, but rest first today. Let me show you inside."
"Ahem! Ahem! Appreciate it."
Stepping inside, Shin Seom-hwa was even more impressed by how clean it was.
Maybe thanks to his reawakened ability, no big items cluttered the space.
But it was so spotless, hard to believe it was a natural cave.
"What's this on the floor?"
"Beast hides. Been hunting a fair bit."
This many meant he'd been through hell.
The more she saw, the more amazed she got.
Kim Jin-woo led her to another room in the back.
It was just as pristine.
"Clothes for changing are here."
"Clothes too? Don't tell me you scavenged these from the beach?"
"...Part of the wrecked ship washed up here. Salvaged what I could. Thought I'd lucked out when it vanished the next day."
The clothes looked brand new.
That new warehouse power could even do this?
"Change and get some rest."
"Ah, anything I can help with?"
"First day— just focus on sleeping it off. I'll explain everything tomorrow."
"Okay, thanks."
With that, Kim Jin-woo left without lingering.
Reliable guy.
She caught herself thinking it.
"Phew, finally can change out of these grimy clothes."
She stripped off her dress shirt, skirt, and black underwear.
Her pale skin gleamed flawless under the light.
She'd wanted to strip sooner, but held back with him there.
Worried he might come back in, but...
'Nah, he even gave me clothes and privacy. No way.'
Kim Jin-woo had definitely changed somewhere.
Even as teammates, he'd always seemed a bit intimidated by her.
Now? Total composure.
She used to think it was nerves around all the women, but apparently not.
'That Hilde girl by his side... stunning.'
Even as a woman, she had to admire her on sight.
Milky skin, silver hair down to her waist, perfect figure without a flaw.
Never felt outshone by another woman before.
But Hilde? Instant intimidation.
If a face like that called you "Master," any guy's confidence would skyrocket.
'...He used to follow even unreasonable orders without fail.'
The thought hit her, and she shook it off.
Whatever the past, right now she was freeloading off what he'd built.
Without him, she'd probably be shivering to death by now.
No way she could complain after he saved her life.
"Sigh... Tomorrow, I'll ask if there's work for me. And bring up that thing from before..."
To do that, she needed to recover her strength fast.
She finished changing and lay down.
Fiddling with her calf, finally feeling a bit better.
Couldn't even stand, had to be carried like that.
Even without witnesses, her pride stung.
'Yeah, sleep it off and get up.'
Back to her confident self from society.
That was when Shin Seom-hwa lay down on the floor.
"Ahhn! Haahn!"
Lewd moans echoed from the other room.