Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: First Time Seeing a Saintess Good at Magic?
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"Hmm..."
"What's up? Something wrong?"
I must have made a serious face without realizing it.
Dayoung gave me a worried look.
"Oh, it's nothing. Go ahead and pick something from the menu."
"Hmmm."
Dayoung peered back at the menu with a thoughtful expression.
What should I do?
Should I boost my tolerance so I don't get drunk?
No, that defeats the purpose of drinking.
You drink to get a buzz, after all.
If I wanted to stay perfectly sober, I might as well just order a soda.
A nice, tipsy haze is the best part of the experience.
...Maybe I'll just drink first and think later?
It's not like Dayoung would do anything weird if I got a little drunk.
Yeah, no need to overthink it. Drink and see how it goes.
I made up my mind and looked up.
Dayoung had already called the server and was placing the order.
"What do you want to drink, Sihyun? I'm going with beer and soju."
"Beer for me to start."
"Mmm, got it."
The order wrapped up smoothly, and the server headed inside.
Dayoung propped her chin on her left hand.
"Lucky we got an outdoor seat, right?"
"The place must be popular."
"It's one of those spots only insiders know about. It's a bit off the beaten path too."
"Ah, gotcha."
I nodded and glanced around the quiet street.
A few people were strolling by, and cozy little pubs were clustered together.
I liked the mellow vibe; it wasn't too rowdy.
"...Maybe you can recommend more places like this sometime?"
"Oh? You like it already?"
Dayoung's lips curved into a grin.
"Sihyun, we're pretty close now, right? Not besties yet, but still."
"...? Yeah."
"Then how about we drop the formal speech? You look like you're in your late teens or early twenties tops."
"Uh, sure. Go ahead."
My physical age and mental age didn't exactly match.
But there was no need to get into that.
"You could loosen up too! Try 'unnie.' Dayoung-unnie."
"That's a bit much."
"Tch."
Overhearing it casually and saying it myself were two very different things.
The difficulty level wasn't even comparable.
"Your hair is so pretty, though. Do you do something special for it?"
"...My sister helps out sometimes."
"You mentioned a little sister?"
"Yeah, she's suuuper cute."
"Pfft."
"...?"
Why was she laughing like that?
I tilted my head at the odd reaction.
But Dayoung just waved it off lightly and kept talking.
"Maybe I should grow mine out too."
"Doesn't short hair feel easier?"
"Says the one with hair down to her waist."
"...I actually want a bob like yours. But she says no cutting."
"Your sister?"
"Yeah."
Dayoung let out a snicker.
What was so funny? I had no clue.
"Bragging like that makes me curious. Got a photo?"
"...Uh."
Oh no.
No way.
Why didn't I think of this?
I didn't have a single photo.
I never was one for taking pictures anyway.
And since returning to Earth, I'd barely taken any.
But shouldn't I have at least a family shot?
It was a total blind spot.
"No way, none at all?"
"Yeeeah..."
"Don't make that sad puppy face. We'll take some next time."
"...Right?"
I figured she'd tease me for bragging without proof.
Dayoung really is kind.
"Hehe, then maybe I can be number one?"
Suddenly, Dayoung shot up from her seat.
She scooted over to my side with a rustle and held out her hand.
"Phone!"
Overpowered by her energy, I handed it over.
She swiped smoothly to camera mode and stuck the phone out for a selfie.
She leaned her face close to mine to fit into the shot.
As the distance closed, a faint, pleasant scent tickled my nose.
"Don't look at me—look at the camera!"
"...Okay."
After a light scolding, I faced forward.
Click! Click!
She adjusted the angles, snapping several shots.
"Can you unlock it?"
"One sec."
I unlocked it, and she fired up KakaoTalk.
She opened our chat and scrolled through my gallery.
She sent a few selected pics over to herself.
Once the photo session was done, she returned to her seat.
"It's not just that you have no sister pics—your whole gallery is empty?"
"I'm not really into it..."
"And your chat history is just me and your sister?"
"I haven't been back on Earth long..."
"Oh my god."
Dayoung's face changed in an instant.
It was like she was looking at a pitiful creature.
I needed to defend myself.
"...It'll fill up eventually."
"Of course it will. Who would leave you hanging?"
"...?"
"You know how it is."
Dayoung chuckled softly and leaned forward a bit.
"Wanna ask for the numbers of some of the guild folks while we're at it? Not Jihan... but Hankyeol or someone. What do you think?"
"Oh, Hankyeol. That sounds good."
It wasn't a bad idea.
It was time for my empty contacts to get a dramatic upgrade!
Heh, hehehe...
"...But why not Jihan?"
"His personality is a bit intense. He's on an assignment out of town anyway."
"Ah."
An out-of-town assignment.
Hunters really are busy people.
Come to think of it, Jia—my old college friend—was swamped on an out-of-town job too.
It made me want to see her face after so long.
"Oh yeah, Sihyun, I've got something for you."
"Huh? What?"
"Status window!"
Dayoung blurted out something embarrassing and jabbed at the air.
A long sword materialized.
"Hankyeol used to use this one, but I made him a new one. It's still as good as new—too good to toss. Wanna use it?"
"Are you sure?"
"Totally! It's used, but I made it myself, so it's solid. I got it repaired too."
"Ooh."
I carefully took the proffered sword.
A quick check confirmed it was perfect for a D-Rank hunter.
"Holy Knights are knights, right? I'm not sure about your world's setup."
"Eh, close enough."
"Then..."
"Food's up!"
Just as Dayoung was about to ask something else, the food arrived.
It was quicker than expected.
Two beers and a soju bottle were set on the table naturally.
"Shall we have a round?"
"Yes!"
While Dayoung mixed her 'somaek' smoothly, I poured mine into a glass.
Clink! Hiss—
The bubbles foamed up.
Man, it had been forever.
Everything felt brand new.
"Cheers!"
Dayoung raised her glass.
We clinked lightly, and I took a sip.
The carbonation and that classic Korean beer taste filled my mouth.
What was the word for this?
Oh yeah—crisp!
That was it.
The clean, cool beer hit me after so long—it really lifted my spirits.
"Ahh... this is it. Try the side dish too, Sihyun! It's my recommendation."
"Okay."
I picked some up with my chopsticks.
Mmm, delicious.
Dayoung's foodie credentials were officially confirmed.
"Hehe, good, right?"
"Yes! I'm glad we came."
My mood was soaring.
I could feel my face muscles relaxing into a grin.
Why not? Good vibes are good vibes.
I took another sip of beer.
"I know you're strong, Sihyun. But don't you need armor?"
"I don't know..."
"Knights in your world wore it, right?"
Holy Knights and armor.
The woman from the Hero's party popped into my head naturally.
She was tall for a woman and had a muscular build.
She used to flirt with the Hero, pushing her feminine appeal.
...If she'd shown me even a fraction of that favor back then.
"Oh, uh... Anyway! Sihyun!"
"...Yeah?"
Lost in my thoughts, Dayoung clapped suddenly.
"You're so pretty but you dress way too plainly. Is there a reason?"
"Hmm, it's comfy. And I'm used to it."
I only had two main outfits from that other world.
There was the pitch-black nun's habit, made to order by the Hero—it was modest and showed no curves.
It was combat-ready with magic enhancements, very pricey stuff.
And then there was simple daily wear, medieval style—a long skirt down to the ankles.
That had cured my aversion to skirts.
Short or revealing ones were still a "no thanks," though.
"Such a waste. Wanna go shopping sometime?"
"...I'll think about it."
"That's your polite way of saying no."
Busted.
I turned away, pretending not to hear, and chugged my beer.
Gulp, gulp.
The cool fizz slid down my throat.
I set down the glass, grabbed some food, and changed the subject on purpose.
"Why stick with a small guild, Dayoung?"
"Why?"
"Production hunters are rare. Couldn't you get better treatment at a big one?"
"Ah, I was actually in a major guild before."
"Really?"
I paused mid-pour and looked at her.
Was this a "snake's head over a dragon's tail" situation?
"The quotas and exploitation were insane. I left with some drama, but I started Wings with some close friends."
"I see..."
Exploitation...
The Church and the royals came to mind naturally.
I felt a sudden surge of kinship with Dayoung.
"Hey, don't make that face. It's fun now! Another round?"
"Yes!"
We clinked glasses and gulped down more beer.
"Ahh..."
I was barely one bottle down, but I already felt a buzz.
Soju was definitely going to be a no-go...
I sighed deeply with regret and stood up.
"Dayoung, I need a bathroom break."
"Huh? Let's go together."
"...Alone! Be right back. Maybe order more beer?"
"O-okay? Sure."
I left Dayoung looking stunned and headed off.
Company in the bathroom is still too much for me.
Dayoung watched Sihyun's retreating figure as she entered the shop, a hand on her cheek.
She's such a unique person, no matter how many times I look.
She was so pretty, yet she had zero interest in dolling herself up.
Sometimes she didn't even act very girly.
But that somehow became part of her charm.
It was Dayoung's first time meeting someone like this.
"I wonder if she'll call me more casually soon..."
Protective instincts welled up inside her.
Sihyun was way stronger than her, sure.
But while chatting with her, Dayoung kept wanting to wrap her up and protect her.
Dayoung chuckled, picking at the food with her chopsticks and savoring it slowly.
Then.
"Hey, isn't that Moon Dayoung?"
"...?"
It was a familiar voice.
Dayoung looked toward it.
A huge guy, nearing two meters tall, was approaching her slowly.
The woman with him was frowning as she followed along.
"What a coincidence! Running into a thief here."
"...Those are harsh words."
"Does the truth hurt?"
"Bullshit."
Dayoung spat the word out lightly, but the man ignored it.
He was the strong one, after all.
"Living the good life, are we? Drinking at a place like this."
"Yeah, I'm doing great. So beat it."
"Can't do that. Think of all the damage you caused our guild."
Thud!
He slammed the table with his fist.
The glasses and bottles toppled over, clattering loudly.
"Do you know how much your little stunt cost the guild?"
"No idea. Don't care."
"Maybe it's time you learned?"
The man grinned wickedly.
Dayoung tensed up, her brain racing for a response, but the alcohol wasn't helping.
"Babe, give me a minute? I've gotta teach this bitch a lesson."
"Make it quick."
The woman grumbled in reply.
She was thinking to herself at the same time.
Why do I keep running into hot chicks in every incident lately?
That white-haired girl last time pissed me off, and this one is annoying too.
She had finally joined a new guild and gotten a boyfriend.
She'd thought she would set the mood, but no.
She sighed heavily.
At least her boyfriend wasn't into this woman.
In the last dungeon, those two guys simping for the white-haired girl was gross.
The girl was cute, sure, but that much? Nah.
Today was better, at least.
"F*cking bitch. How about a nice apology? It might improve my mood."
"I didn't do shit. Get lost before I call the Bureau."
The man snorted at Dayoung's retort.
"Violence beats the law, you know?"
"F*cking asshole..."
Dayoung furrowed her brow.
It was true that Bureau mediation protected her for now.
But if things escalated?
Wings had under ten members, mostly E to D-Rank.
This guy belonged to a major guild that even the Bureau treaded lightly around.
The Bureau would step in eventually, but the limits were clear.
She couldn't fully trust them.
'It's humiliating, but... should I just apologize and move on this once?'
She hated the thought.
Should she just trust the Bureau and stand firm?
...But his fist was right there.
The man in front of Dayoung interlaced his fingers, cracking his knuckles.
The lady beside him snickered.
Seeing that, Dayoung knew she had to make a decision.
"..."
"Gone quiet? Huh?"
The man leaned in with a sleazy smile.
In that moment, a familiar figure appeared in the corner of her vision.
It was Sihyun returning, her face set in a hard, cold expression.