Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: A Saintess Good at Magic? First Time Seeing One?
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With the dawn of the Great Hunter Era came the emergence of "guilds."
Much like the adventurer guilds in fantasy tales, these were organizations formed by the Awakened for their own mutual benefit.
They ranged from small-scale circles with fewer than ten members to massive entities boasting more influence than global corporations.
One such organization was the Wings Guild.
With fewer than ten members, they were a tightly-knit group.
The guild was founded by its Master, Moon Dayoung, after she fled exploitation at the hands of a large-scale guild. Half of her current members had escaped alongside her.
Production Hunters were ranked through specialized tests, distinct from combat evaluations.
Among them, Moon Dayoung was a prestigious B-Rank Production Hunter.
Such professions were rare, allowing her to enjoy substantial government-backed privileges.
Of course, those privileges came with their own set of obligations.
"Master, when are you finally going to forge me a new sword?"
"If you want a new one, go run more dungeons."
"I'm exhausted enough to collapse after just one run a day."
"Lacking stamina, aren't we? You went three times just the other day."
"That day was an anomaly..."
Since early morning, Hankyeol had been sprawled across the desk with a weary sigh.
Dayoung smirked as she watched him.
He’d rest for a bit, then head back to work—that was his routine.
What a good, diligent young man.
"I'll do two today... I have to work hard to pay off my debts."
"Hehe, that's the spirit."
"By the way, how has that guy been lately?"
"Who? Jihan?"
"Who else?"
Hankyeol straightened up from his slump and stretched.
Once the talk wrapped up, it would be time to head out.
Dayoung replied with an ambiguous expression.
"He's working hard, but I'm a bit worried."
"Still the same?"
"Yeah. He shapes up when I warn him, but it only lasts for a moment."
"He's going to get into big trouble one of these days."
"Haa..."
Seo Jihan was an early member of the Wings Guild who had left the large guild with them.
He was younger than Hankyeol but was his senior as an Awakened.
As the guild's sole C-Rank Combat Hunter, he was currently aiming for B-Rank.
The guild supported him fully.
Aware that he was their ace, he strutted with immense confidence.
A bit too much, perhaps.
"Hankyeol, you need to hit C-Rank soon, too."
"I-I'm working on it..."
Hankyeol let out a deep breath at Dayoung's words.
He’d quickly reached D-Rank through Academy training.
But C-Rank... sometimes that felt like a wall he couldn't climb.
That was when the office phone rang.
Hankyeol bowed and said he'd be off, then left the room. Dayoung picked up the receiver with a casual gesture.
"Yes, Wings Guild."
- ...Hello. Hankyeol referred me. My name is Jeong Sihyun.
"...Ah! I've heard about you. It's nice to meet you. What can I do for you?"
- I'd like to visit for a consultation.
"Perfect! When were you thinking?"
Sihyun and Dayoung coordinated their schedules.
The call ended.
Dayoung rested her chin on the desk, lost in thought.
That voice was insane.
It sounded like jade beads rolling across a silver tray.
She hadn't even seen the woman's face yet,
but she already understood why Hankyeol was so excited.
After scheduling her visit to the Wings Guild,
Sihyun tackled the nearest dungeon on her route.
She swiftly cleared two E-Rank dungeons solo,
Then beelined for a jjambbong restaurant she'd researched online.
It wasn't peak dining hours yet, so the place was quiet.
"Welcome! Table for one?"
"Yes."
"This way, please."
Once she was seated, a female staffer looked at her with concern.
"It might be too spicy for a foreigner. Are you sure?"
"...Yeah, I'll give it a shot."
"Hehe, your Korean is great. Fighting!"
Sihyun received some unexpected cheers.
...Do I look like a foreigner to others? An honorary Korean or something?
It made sense, but it still felt a bit weird.
While she was lost in thought, the food arrived.
"Huu..."
Alright, time to dig in.
You got this, Jeong Sihyun!
Slurp—.
She took a tentative bite of the noodles.
And then.
"Cough, cough...!"
She was already in trouble.
But there was no giving up.
Another bite, and another.
"Hng, hng..."
It was tough, exactly as she had expected.
Unable to hide her grimace, she chugged water desperately.
She’d been suspicious ever since that first bite of seasoned chicken.
Eating various foods with Siyun had only deepened her doubts.
Today confirmed it.
I'm seriously weak to spice now.
There had been no spicy food in that other world.
She had returned to Earth in a pure, otherworlder body.
Her tongue was burning, and tears welled up in her eyes involuntarily.
She felt just like a Westerner suffering through Korean food for the first time.
The mind-body disconnect hit hard.
Cognitive dissonance... ugh.
Amount of jjambbong left: two-thirds.
There was no way she could finish this. She really couldn't.
But leaving it felt wasteful.
Her ego was bruised, but she had to heal her tongue, buff herself up, and keep eating.
Yeah, humans are made of compromises.
....
Meal finished, she stood up.
She glared at the bowl with grudge-filled eyes.
She had still left a third behind.
Her stomach was too full.
In her past life, she used to devour double portions.
Back in Korea, with her freedom and free time,
the reality of the changes hit home sometimes.
...But there was no helping it.
She would have to adapt gradually.
One more dungeon, and then it would be time for the Wings Guild.
"Here, have this! It'll cool the spice!"
"Ah, thanks."
The staffer was so kind.
I'll have a rematch with Siyun next time. I'm not giving up.
When Sihyun arrived at the Wings Guild after finishing her self-set quota,
The first words she heard in the office were these:
"Whoa, holy crap. You're even prettier than I imagined."
"...Hello."
"Come on in, please sit."
"Yes."
Dayoung beamed as she welcomed Sihyun.
They say a good-looking rice cake tastes better.
That unreal beauty suggested a pure heart to match.
Even Dayoung, another woman, was captivated.
"...Excuse me?"
"Hm? What's up?"
"...Your gaze."
"Hehe."
Dayoung, who had been openly admiring Sihyun's chest, looked up.
She was busy imagining those proportions on a close-range fighter.
They were just some intriguing thoughts.
She didn't think her own looks lost to anyone's,
but the opposite body type packed a fresh impact.
Dayoung grinned slyly, switching topics.
"You said you came for a trade! Why don't you show me the goods?"
"This."
Sihyun pulled a fist-sized mana stone from her magic bracelet.
She accompanied it with hand motions as if she were manipulating a Status Window.
She’d observed other hunters enough during her past parties to mimic the gesture.
"This must be what Hankyeol mentioned. Mind if I take a peek?"
"Sure."
With permission, Dayoung snatched it up quickly.
Her Status Window assisted her, displaying the basic mana stone information.
Name, rank, quality, and so on.
"Ooh, this'll fetch 2 million won easily. Did you check the price at the exchange?"
"...Two million?"
"Yep! It's low rank, but top quality. The usage depends on the crafter. If you aren't going to haggle, I'll take it for 2 million."
"..."
Sihyun fell silent, pondering.
She'd checked prices at the exchange for miscellaneous mana stones before.
The exchange had only offered 1.5 million.
It was convenient, but they clearly skimmed plenty off the top.
She hadn't expected such a massive gap here.
"Let me guess, the exchange said... about 1.5 million?"
"...Spot on."
"Hehe, occupational hazard. You're Hankyeol's recommendation, so I'm being straight with you."
A guild member's referral.
Maybe she was padding the price for points,
or maybe it was for tax purposes.
That seemed more rational.
Sihyun gathered her thoughts and spoke slowly.
"I heard you're a Production Hunter."
"Yes! B-Rank."
"Then, could I see your items first?"
"Of course."
Dayoung led Sihyun to the warehouse.
It was a large building, so while the room wasn't massive, it was stocked with variety.
While browsing, Sihyun realized something key.
Everything hummed with mana—they were all made using mana stones, clearly.
But just eye-balling them couldn't reveal their functions.
She wasn't an "Awakened" in the system's sense.
She had no Status Window.
To know their functions, she’d have to inspect them closely.
She had forgotten that detail.
"...Shoot."
"Problem?"
Sihyun hesitated.
There was no need to hide the fact that she was a Returner.
But admitting she wasn't actually an "Awakener"? She was hesitant.
Standing out too much would only draw unwanted attention.
It would come out eventually, but not now.
She dodged the question vaguely.
"There are so many items. Do you have anything safety-related?"
"Armor?"
"No, something portable. A gift for my sister, who isn't an Awakened."
"...Wow."
Dayoung's eyes widened at Sihyun's words.
An E-Rank trading a 2-million won mana stone—she’d figured it was for personal gear.
But for her family's safety instead?
Was her heart as pure as her looks?
Dayoung decided to test her once.
"How much value are you aiming for?"
"The maximum. I'm fine with it even going over 2 million."
It was an instant reply.
In that moment, Dayoung's opinion of Sihyun skyrocketed.
Such a person was rare in this world.
Especially among Hunters.
Usually, they invested every penny into self-strengthening.
But this was a "family first" vibe.
It matched the Wings Guild motto perfectly.
I like her.
Dayoung spoke seriously.
"Sihyun."
"Yes?"
"Do you want to make something together?"
"...?"
Sihyun tilted her head, not quite comprehending.
'Cute... No, focus.'
Dayoung reined in her stray thoughts.
"Portable accessories are small; they need high-quality mana stones and materials."
"Yes."
"Nothing here will satisfy you. Do you want to collaborate with me on one?"
Collaboration.
The word hooked into Sihyun's mind.
It wasn't a bad idea.
A B-Rank Hunter was making a proposal.
She should accept it.
But her built-up distrust resisted an easy "yes."
"Ah, of course! It's a trade, a pure trade. I'll charge my fees and take the byproducts. You provide the labor needed for a high-quality item."
Dayoung eyed Sihyun earnestly.
She wouldn't make this pitch to an average E-Rank.
She’d lose more than she would gain.
But Hankyeol had stressed it:
Don't judge this beauty by her looks.
She was D-Rank caliber at minimum, maybe even a match for a C-Rank personally.
Dayoung trusted her guildmate's eye.
So, she would boldly invest her time and resources.
"...Yes. A trade."
Looking at Dayoung's face, Sihyun sensed her sincerity.
It was worth trusting her once.
If any issues arose in the collaboration, she could handle them.
Strong ties would benefit her more in the long run.
"Please take care of me."
"Good choice!"
They shook hands.
"Wh-what is this?"
Dayoung stared ahead, utterly flabbergasted.
She was a B-Rank Production Hunter, but she was D-Rank in Combat as well.
Thus, she had entered a D-Rank dungeon with Sihyun.
She’d promised they would flee if things got too risky.
"Shall we?"
"Uh, y-yeah... Yes!"
The ones sensing a threat weren't the humans—it was the monsters.
With each of Sihyun's steps, monsters were scattered like fallen leaves.
How could this possibly be an E-Rank?
Dayoung's rating of Sihyun changed in an instant.
A simple evaluation was inadequate; she had shattered the ceiling and transcended the limit.
She was immeasurable.
This girl was truly amazing.