Chapter 58
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: First Time Seeing a Saintess Who's Good at Magic Too?
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Section Chief Jang Hansu stared anxiously at his smartphone screen.
He'd carved out a bit of time in the afternoon to call Sihyun, but it hadn't gone through.
A quick check on the computer showed she was inside a D-rank dungeon.
Someone of Sihyun's caliber would clear it in no time, he figured.
But she'd been in there all afternoon.
Tied up with double dungeon business, the section chief had no choice but to return to work.
And so night fell.
Still pulling an all-nighter at the office, he squeezed in another call.
He knew calling this late was a bit much.
But given the situation, he desperately wanted her help if possible.
Still, as time dragged on, she didn't pick up.
'She's busy, huh...'
He was just about to give up and hit end call.
- ...H-hello?
The call connected at the very last second.
Feeling a strange sense of déjà vu, the section chief spoke up.
"Sorry for the late hour, Sihyun. Got a minute?"
- ...Y-yeah.
'Hm?'
Her tongue was oddly slurred.
Tilting his head, the section chief got to the point.
"We've got a bunch of hunters missing in an A-rank dungeon right now. And the gate's about to go berserk. You hear about it?"
- Oh...... yeah. Saw it.
It wasn't his imagination!
She was totally sloshed, her words all slurred.
Realizing why the call had taken so long, he scratched the back of his head.
Better wrap this up quick. He jumped right in.
"I was hoping to ask for your help. Any chance you'd join us?"
- ...When?
"Vanguard's tomorrow morning, rear guard in the afternoon!"
She was asking for dates!
Maybe it was the booze, but she seemed receptive.
Brimming with anticipation—her joining even the rear guard would boost their forces big time—the section chief awaited her answer.
But.
- Afternoon's... got a lecture...
"Ah, damn."
Of all things, a lecture! He hadn't even considered it.
He smacked his forehead without thinking.
Of course the timing would overlap!
As the disappointed section chief fell silent.
A gloomy voice came through the phone, sounding truly apologetic.
- Sorry...
"No, no! Don't worry about it! Sorry for bothering you. Have a good night."
- ...Yeah.
The call ended.
Section Chief Jang Hansu gazed at his smartphone with eyes full of regret.
Sihyun was usually so curt, so her slurred, cute voice had a strangely healing effect.
But that didn't help their current crisis.
She was D-rank anyway, not even subject to the mobilization order.
And with her schedule, plus being drunk, he couldn't push it.
"Sigh..."
With a deep sigh, he dove back into work.
Chirp chirp—
"Yawn..."
Sihyun woke to the sound of sparrows chirping.
She stretched lazily, yawning wide, and glanced at the wall clock.
9 a.m.
She usually rose at dawn out of habit for prayer.
This was sleeping in big time by comparison.
Even after downing quite a bit last night, no hangover.
Maybe because she'd splurged on good booze and food, or slept soundly.
Either way, all good. Heh heh...
"Hm...?"
Her phone wasn't in its usual spot.
She looked around the living room.
"Not here?"
Where'd she leave it last night?
She widened her search.
Checked the living room corner, even the bathroom.
"Ah! There it is. Haha..."
Found it by the fridge.
Must've set it down grabbing something and forgot.
Chuckling at herself, she scratched her head and unlocked the phone.
One missed call.
Several messages.
The missed call was from Jia.
How'd she miss it even drunk? Tilting her head, she checked the settings.
'On vibrate...'
No wonder.
She smirked and opened the messages.
- Sihyun, busy? No answer, so just texting.
- Joining the vanguard for that A-rank dungeon mess.
- Guarding supporters for Dawn Guild, so don't worry!
Jia was talking about raiding that dungeon from the news.
She'd heard Jia stuck to avoided dungeons anyway.
Made sense for Jia's personality to join the vanguard.
...Vanguard was this morning, right?
Probably already inside by now.
She sank back into the sofa, leaning comfortably.
Plenty of time before her academy lecture.
She leisurely browsed news and articles.
Breaking news everywhere.
"..."
This looks pretty dangerous...
Even up to last night at the restaurant and wine bar, info had been scarce.
Now every outlet hammered home the A-rank dungeon's risks.
Rare special dungeon, cases countable on one hand.
Many of those jumped a rank.
Quite a few Korean S-ranks joining the raid.
'Gotta check related data.'
She researched S-rank clears including overseas, double dungeon info.
After thorough digging and compiling.
If truly A-rank, they'd clear fine.
But if the double dungeon was S-rank?
Barely enough firepower to scrape by.
Hastily gathered team looked thin on numbers.
Definitely fatalities likely.
Especially since mostly below S-rank.
"Sigh..."
She rubbed her furrowed brow.
Glanced at the wall clock, then glared at her phone.
She could still make the rear guard.
But then she'd miss the lecture.
Already a part-timer, and the president had pulled strings.
Ditch on the day of? Irresponsible.
Students wouldn't look kindly, nor fellow profs.
"Urgh..."
She checked Jia's messages again.
- Guarding supporters for Dawn Guild, so don't worry!
Really safe? Or just her worrying too much?
....
She tapped her cheeks, sorting her thoughts.
Not even a normal dungeon—undead one.
Rear guard would fight revived monsters too.
Could the combined hunters clear the double dungeon safely?
She eyed the wall clock anxiously again.
Time ticked steadily onward.
Decision time.
A-rank? They'd manage.
S-rank? Injuries, deaths galore.
Honestly, didn't care about others.
But Jia was in there.
Might be fine, just her fussing.
High-rank dungeons had variables—anything could happen.
Had to pick one.
Jia's uncertain, life-risking situation.
Vs. her academy prof responsibilities.
What mattered more to her.
One had to go.
"Ha..."
Irritation surged; she shot up from the sofa.
Grabbed cold water from the fridge, chugged it.
The chill down her throat cooled her rising heat a bit.
Head clear, calm regained.
Checked the clock again.
Then Jia's still-open messages.
Which of the two was right?
"...Obviously this one."
No regrets, ever.
Decision made, next steps clear.
Monster Studies Intro lecture day.
After 3rd and 4th period majors, Jaewoo headed to the basement.
Grabbed a light lunch at the cafeteria like always.
Back on the first floor, he went straight to the end-of-hall classroom.
Sat in his usual front-row corridor seat.
Killed time browsing T-Tube on his phone.
- Creak.
Back door opened; another student entered.
Usually Areum and Eunbyeol, but not today.
Jaewoo glanced away, back to his phone.
....
A few more students trickled in.
Class time approached.
But way short on numbers.
No Areum or Eunbyeol either.
That's when Jaewoo sensed something off.
'No way?'
He rushed into the academic system.
Checked Monster Studies Intro notices.
[Monster Studies Intro Lecture 4: CANCELED.]
Emergency notice from a few hours ago.
Sudden schedule conflict; makeup in reinforcement period later.
"...Damn."
Jaewoo scanned the room.
Everyone here oblivious like him.
Areum and Eunbyeol must've seen it and skipped.
'Share with me too...'
A bit miffed, he sighed deeply.
Stood, headed to the blackboard.
Wrote in big letters: CLASS CANCELED TODAY.
Students started murmuring.
"What? Canceled today?"
"Only lecture 4 and already canceling?"
Some checked the system themselves.
"Posted a few hours ago?"
"Fine by me, but post sooner."
Muttering mild complaints, they filed out.
Jaewoo packed up, watching them go.
'Wonder what came up to cancel?'
Mild curiosity as he fiddled with his phone.
Booking today's E-rank dungeon, diligently.
Checked new messages first.
- Jaewoo, dungeon today? Areum's going too.
- Oh! You didn't go to Monster Studies, right?
From Eunbyeol, just a minute ago.
"...Sigh."
Light sigh as he typed a reply.
Meanwhile, Sihyun.
Was in the passenger seat, heading to the gate.
She'd requested rear guard, so Section Chief Jang Hansu came personally.
"...Sorry for the trouble."
"No trouble. Just glad you're joining."
Light turned red.
Car stopped, section chief glanced at Sihyun beside him.
In her nun's habit, she looked tense, lost in thought with a stiff expression.
'She gets nervous too, huh.'
Maybe help her relax?
He spoke up slowly.
"Nervous, Sihyun?"
"Huh? Nervous? Not at all."
"Pardon?"
Totally unexpected.
Eyes wide, he asked again.
"No worries then?"
"Oh, how'd you know?"
Sihyun blinked, tilting her head.
Then spilled her recent dilemma.
"The academy lecture. Had to post a sudden cancel notice. Feels bad for the students..."
"Ah ha."
He chuckled despite himself.
Not dungeon nerves—worried about students.
"I can help with that."
"Really?"
She perked up; he smiled reassuringly.
"Was thinking what to offer from the Bureau anyway. Prep something the kids'll love?"
"Yes! Please!"
Worries gone, she beamed brightly.
He flushed, turning away.
Last night's drunk voice and speech popped into his head.
Cleared his throat, resumed driving.