Chapter 4
Chapter 4
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: uly Chapter: 4 Chapter Title: Give Me Your Contact Info -----------------------------------------------------------------
An aura that felt vaguely dangerous somewhere. A top-star level beauty hidden beneath the wide bamboo hat brim. No matter how she looked at it, this wasn't a face you'd see around these parts. 'Someone that strong could probably live in a much nicer neighborhood.' Not just her looks—there were plenty of surprising things about the woman herself. 'In this day and age, going into secluded training and being totally out of touch with the world... she's one of a kind.' Where the mana-rich gates were located
Whether it was true that monsters dropped inner cores. If magic stones could be consumed directly. True to her claim of ten years in secluded training, she seemed completely clueless about how the world worked. Her questions had been endless, almost annoying. But Jua Young was simply thrilled at the chance to help such a beautiful big sis. Even her gloomy expression couldn't fully hide her allure—it was enough to make anyone happy just looking at her. She snapped out of her blushing daze only when the chime rang
Ding-a-ling. "Welcome." "What, did your friend leave already?" "Pardon?" "Never mind, forget it." "Excuse me, but who might you be...?" "What? You don't know me?" "No idea. Are you acquainted with the owner?" A man who suddenly started barking orders like they were old pals. His confidence threw even Jua Young off balance. "Jeez. I'm from Myeongho Guild—guild staff. Can't you tell from the uniform?" "Oh, I see..." So what? Jua Young started feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Ignoring her mood, the guard shoved his face over the counter
"Hey, thanks to Myeongho Guild being here, property values in Myeongho-dong are stable, and folks like you little people can keep your shops open." "Ah, yes. We're always grateful. Thank you." "So, whaddya say? My shift ends soon—got time tonight." "Pardon?" "C'mon, it'd be great. Dating a Myeongho Guild member means no more monster worries. Just say the name Choi Ho-pil, and your life here's smooth sailing. No wrinkles, no creases." Choi Ho-pil suddenly grabbed her hand. Jua Young yanked it away in horror
"Whoa, you've got some grip." "What are you doing? This is a convenience store. Not a place to pick up girls." "I'm not here for just any girl. I'm here for you." Irritation flashed in Jua Young's eyes. "Listen. I'm not some weakling who needs protecting to survive. I'm a fifth-year Awakener trainee." "Hah. Look at this firecracker. As feisty as she is cute." Even in her plain store uniform, her S-line figure stood out. True to her trainee status, her toned body drew Choi Ho-pil's leering gaze from top to bottom
Revulsed by that creepy stare, Jua Young laid down the law. "Stop it. Keep this up, and I'll call the cops." Choi Ho-pil's eyebrows twitched menacingly. "Cops? Ha, you little bitch—keep pushing it. Call 'em, you punk. I'm not even asking for forever—just one date, and you're acting all high and mighty. You think you can keep working in this neighborhood after this?" "Are you threatening me right now?" "Damn right I am, punk. If the boss doesn't fire you, this store's protection fee doubles. How long you think a nobody like you lasts?" Tears welled up in Jua Young's eyes
"Why are you doing this to me? I can't quit this job—it's how I pay for Awakener academy." "Then fucking apologize! Can't you see you've pissed me off?" "I'm sorry." She bowed her head in apology. Choi Ho-pil ignored it and grabbed her by the hair, slamming her head onto the counter. "Argh!" "Hey, does that sorry even mean anything? No sincerity. None." "Then... what would show sincerity?" "Make time tonight." "...!" "You're old enough to get it. You know what I mean, right?" Threats backed by power
His vile ploy filled Jua Young with resentment. A part-time clerk scraping by for pricey academy fees couldn't stand up to a Myeongho Guild member. "Just so we're clear—cops or media won't help. You know how it is these days. Piss off an Awakener, and governments and corps alike go down the tubes." Gates and monsters. New enemies before humanity. Awakeners, the only ones who could fight them, stood above the law. And guilds formed by elite Awakeners with special powers claimed their own territories
Allocated districts. Responsible for locals' lives. Wielding direct and indirect influence over all regional interests. Myeongho Guild was a near-first-rate guild, no less. A pretty-faced civilian with a nice figure couldn't handle Choi Ho-pil's abuses backed by that power. It was over. Resignation clouded Jua Young's eyes. Choi Ho-pil clenched his fist. Got her. Just time to reel in the fish that was already hooked. Ding-a-ling. The convenience store's automatic door slid open. "Hah, clueless bastard
Get lost. Can't do business with you here." "... ." "What? Didn't you hear me say scram... Huh?" A bamboo hat with fluttering silk ribbons, a distinctive outfit with long robes. Bandaged hands glimpsed through wide sleeves. A scabbard slung diagonally at the waist. Even standing silently, the figure exuded an extraordinary aura. Hae Eung-eung had returned. 2. On her way back from buying cigarettes. A deserted park with no one around. She tore open the pack with indifferent eyes, put a cigarette in her mouth, and touched the tip with her finger
"... ." Then she realized. With only five years of internal energy, she couldn't ignite True Samadhi Fire. 'Losing my realm comes with inconveniences like this.' Hae Eung-eung headed back to the store for a lighter. She spotted a citizen who peeked inside, flinched at something, and fled. Something felt off. Her steps toward the store quickened. And sure enough. The scene revealed as the automatic door opened chilled Hae Eung-eung's heart. The clerk had her hair gripped by a rough-looking man, her head pressed to the counter as she sobbed
"Who the hell are you? One of those escapees from near the gate outer wall." The rough-looking man barked fiercely at Hae Eung-eung. The Myeongho Guild guard, Choi Ho-pil. "Answer me!" Hae Eung-eung silently raised her scabbard, aiming at his arm. "Fuck, what the hell you doing? Huh? Wanna go?!" "... ." "Look at this killer vibe... You confident? Come on, let's see you win." His presence thickened to an undeniable level. A chill ran through Choi Ho-pil. No reason, but he couldn't shake the feeling he'd picked the wrong fight
"What, you into this bitch too? Line up then, punk. I'll use her first and pass her on." His pride stung at backing down, but pushing further felt disastrous—so he tossed out his compromise. No sooner had the crude words left his mouth than something streaked past his cheek at blinding speed. Drip. Blood trickled down his cheek. Turning rigidly, Choi Ho-pil identified what had grazed him. "Candy stick...?" A lollipop stick embedded deep in the wall. The candy bulb was nowhere to be seen. Cold sweat drenched Choi Ho-pil
'When the hell did this guy throw it?' He hadn't even noticed the motion. Forget throwing—had it been a dagger instead of candy, his skull would've shattered in an instant. "Big sis...!" Jua Young opened her mouth in shock. Overhearing, Choi Ho-pil forced an awkward grin, feigning realization. "Oh, you two family or something? Haha, should've said so sooner. I don't mess with family meetups." "... ." "Fuck, let's call it even! I let go of her hand. I won't touch your little sis. Or what, you wanna go all the way?" Tension gripped him like facing a high-grade monster
Hae Eung-eung gripped her scabbard tighter, thumb nudging the sword hilt upward, utterly unfazed. It was Jua Young who saved the sweating Choi Ho-pil. "No, big sis. He's from Myeongho Guild. No need for you to get in trouble over me." "Y-yeah. Listen to your sis, right? Don't know what guild you're from, but stirring shit in someone else's turf—you can't handle the fallout. Right? So, I'm outta here?" Choi Ho-pil was desperate just to escape. Tense as if beside a beast, he inched cautiously toward the door
Right before leaving, he suddenly flared up with a shout. "You'll regret this, you fucking punks. Today's not over yet—?!" A last-ditch yell to save face. Hae Eung-eung denied him even that pathetic resistance. Her sword flashed like lightning, slicing around his body in an instant. Plop plop. Wireless earbud in his ear. Shirt buttons. Pants waistband. Sword belt. Shoelaces. Everything from head to toe rained to the floor at once. "Urk!" Choi Ho-pil wasn't just chilled—he was utterly unraveled
Such precise swordsmanship could've severed meridians at will if she'd wanted blood. Only now did the gravity sink in: he'd provoked someone extraordinary. His hands clutching his falling pants, his fleeing legs—they trembled visibly from afar. "Wow, big sis... I knew you were strong, but I never imagined this level."
[I should've finished him. That guy's definitely coming back.] "Still, you can't become a murderer over this. Honestly, you already went too far. You crushed Myeongho Guild's pride—they won't let it slide." Even after her ordeal, Jua Young worried for Hae Eung-eung first
Hae Eung-eung sighed at her pure, almost naive kindness. 'I didn't want to get too involved. But now...' The Earth she knew in 2030. The Earth fifty years later, in 2050. She'd only talked to bridge the info gap between those worlds. She'd drawn a clear line: just a random clerk, nothing more. I'm sorry, big sis. If me being alive puts you in danger... I can't... I'm sorry. No, big sis. He's from Myeongho Guild. No need for you to get in trouble over me. Murim and the real world
Bonds from two different dimensions. That overly kind face. The tragic fate. They all overlapped in her mind.
[Give me your contact info.] "Really?" Like Murim's vile unorthodox scum who forgot favors but nursed grudges forever. Myeongho Guild hardly seemed gentlemanly. If guild members came for her while she was away, and Jua Young got hurt or vanished... That bitter aftertaste wouldn't fade in a day or two. Pretending not to know was impossible now—she was too entangled.
[Still things I want to ask Like about the game.] "If that's how I can help, I'm all for it! Ask away—I'll tell you everything." Jua Young beamed innocently at exchanging contacts. Hae Eung-eung left the store, leaving that pure face behind. Her expression had grown icy as she vowed: Since this girl had dragged her into such hassle, she'd squeeze every bit of needed info out like drying squid.