Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Heading Back
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"I'll take care of them. Not a single one will be left alive."
It occurred to me that it had been a really long time since I'd last seen someone get that angry on my behalf.
I was grateful for it, of course, but it wasn't exactly a pleasant sight to behold.
Cold air exploded from Prostia's hand.
The ground beneath the monsters froze solid and shattered.
They thrashed about, but it was no use.
Starting from their legs, then their torsos, and finally their heads.
In an instant, they were turned into statues on display.
"Freeze... and shatter."
Snap—
Prostia flicked her fingers.
At that signal, the frozen monsters shattered into pieces.
From a distance, it was quite a beautiful sight.
Meanwhile, Eli transformed her arms into massive dragon limbs.
"How dare you touch my Master!"
A blaze of crimson flames erupted from Eli's mouth.
The inferno engulfed the monsters, reducing them to ashes.
Above all, it seemed their claim of fighting together wasn't just talk.
"Eli."
"Yes, my Queen."
The two of them made a pretty good pair.
"Freeze."
Wherever Prostia's hand touched the ground, a sheet of ice spread instantly.
Monsters with their legs frozen solid.
Eli pummeled them with her fists and lashed out with her tail.
"Burn."
Then she unleashed another wave of judgment from her mouth.
"Maybe I wasn't needed after all."
It was a one-sided massacre.
The monsters couldn't even resist.
They froze solid as they charged and burned away as they tried to flee.
Scary stuff.
So that's what happens when those two get mad.
I'd better never accidentally piss them off.
And just like that, a minute passed.
No, probably less than a minute.
In that short time, what looked like over a hundred monsters had vanished.
Not a trace of them remained.
Just shards of ice and ashes scattering in the wind.
"Hoo..."
"Haa."
Eli and Prostia finally calmed down.
They weren't even out of breath after unleashing all that magic.
"All taken care of."
"Yes. Not a single one left."
The two approached me.
Their eyes were still cold, but softening bit by bit.
The Awakeners around us stood there dumbfounded.
Mouths agape.
"Th-that was..."
"What the hell are those people...?"
One Awakener muttered.
"A-Rank monsters wiped out in a minute?"
Everyone looked utterly spaced out.
The police were the same. Standing at a safe distance, staring at us with terrified expressions.
I raised my hand to signal that everything was fine.
But no one came closer.
Can't blame them.
After what they'd just witnessed.
"Master, are you alright?"
"Soulmate, any injuries?"
They both asked at once.
I nodded.
"I'm fine. Really."
Eli examined my face, gently touching the wound.
"Does it hurt?"
"No, not at all."
Prostia pulled out a handkerchief and wiped my face.
"You're bleeding a bit."
"This'll heal in no time."
The two let out sighs of relief.
"Good."
"Thank goodness."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
Were these really the same girls who'd been unleashing their power wildly just moments ago?
Feeling relieved myself, I stroked their heads.
"Thanks. You saved my life."
Eli and Prostia both blushed at the same time.
They glanced around awkwardly, searching for words, then spoke up.
"But you need to be more careful."
"Please be more careful next time."
"Yeah. I won't let this happen again."
"...Master."
"Hm? What?"
Eli's tongue licked the cut on my cheek.
"E-Eli?"
"Dragon saliva has healing properties."
Eli said matter-of-factly.
But her red ears betrayed her embarrassment.
"So bold."
"Y-You lick him sometimes too, Lady Prostia!"
Eli shouted, her face flushing.
I touched my cheek. Strangely, the stinging was gone.
"It's really healed."
"Of course."
"Alright then."
Prostia smiled as she spoke.
"Let's head out now. No point sticking around here—it'll just make people uncomfortable."
I nodded in agreement.
The Awakeners and police were still staring at us.
"Yeah, let's go. We've still got more fun ahead."
We quietly slipped away from the scene.
The next morning.
We left the motel and walked to the baseball stadium area.
It was near Prostia's chicken shop.
"Guess this is where we part ways."
"Yeah. Gotta head back to Seoul for work."
"I see."
Prostia bit her lip.
"It was fun."
"Same here."
Eli chimed in from the side.
"It was fun for me too."
"Yeah. Let's meet up again soon."
As Prostia said her goodbyes, she went ah and rummaged through her pocket.
In her hand was an old flip phone.
"This is all I got. Grandmother gave it to me."
"We can at least exchange numbers, right?"
"There's a problem, though."
"What?"
"Phone bill's overdue, so it's suspended."
Prostia scratched her head sheepishly.
"Once I pay it and reactivate, I'll call you."
"How long will that take?"
"A week or two? Gotta earn from selling chicken."
I pulled out my wallet.
"Want me to cover it?"
"No way!"
Prostia waved her hands frantically.
"I have to earn it myself."
Her resolute gaze left no room for argument.
"Got it. Then hit me up once it's active."
"Yeah. I definitely will."
Prostia beamed at my words.
Eli and Prostia exchanged their own farewells.
"Lady Prostia, keep in touch."
"Of course. Take care of yourself, Eli. And look after our Soulmate."
"You too, Lady Prostia."
After their heartfelt goodbye, Prostia's gaze turned to me.
"Soulmate."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. Really. For coming to find me. Honestly... I was a bit worried."
"Worried?"
"That you'd only have eyes for Eli and forget about me."
As if.
Leaving someone waiting for you? That'd be rude.
"Nothing like that happened."
"Such a tease."
"Hehe. Anyway, isn't it about time for you to go?"
Oh, right.
Train time was approaching.
"See you later."
"Yeah. I'll call for sure."
"Or you could come visit. Eli's there too."
With lingering reluctance, Prostia stepped back.
"Off to work then."
"Yeah, take care."
"You guys hurry too! You'll be late!"
We walked away slowly.
Looking back, Prostia was waving.
We waved back.
Her figure grew smaller and smaller.
"Master, it was fun."
"Yeah. Let's come back next time. Prostia must get lonely."
"I hope that Grandmother can take it a bit easier at work."
"That's why we're heading back quick—to grind."
Once home, it's back to work.
Crank up the difficulty, tackle some dangerous dungeons.
For Prostia and that kind Grandmother who helped her.
Of course, I snuck some living expenses into her bag.
Half of yesterday's subjugation reward, slipped in secretly.
Should last her a while.
"I'll make bank and come pick you up."
Thinking of Prostia's face, I headed to the station.
Prostia returned to the chicken shop.
"I'm back."
"Had fun with your friends?"
"Yes. It was a blast."
Prostia smiled brightly.
The Grandmother nodded, looking at her face.
"You look happier. Must be good friends."
"Yes. Really great people."
The Grandmother smiled warmly and patted Prostia's head.
"Good. See them often."
"Yes, Grandmother."
Prostia unpacked in a corner of the shop.
It wasn't a big place by any means.
But Prostia liked it here.
"Time to get started, Grandmother."
"Yes. Big game today—lots of customers coming."
"Better prep a ton then."
"Yes. Thanks for the help."
Prostia began preparing to serve.
Changing clothes, plastering on a smile.
She, once called the Ice Queen, was now grinning cheerfully.
It felt strange, but not bad.
This peace.
Then.
"Excuse me."
A stranger's voice called out.
"Is Prostia here?"
"Why do you want my girl?"
"Ah, I'm from the Daejeon Eagles baseball team."
Prostia blinked.
"Looking for me?"
"That's right! Prostia!"
"What for?"
The man pulled out his phone.
"Seen this?"
The screen played a video.
Yesterday's gate battle footage.
Prostia casting ice magic.
Freezing monsters in an instant.
Prostia's eyes widened.
"How...?"
"Someone filmed and uploaded it yesterday."
The man grinned.
"It's blowing up right now."
"And?"
"So, here's the thing."
The man grew serious.
"Prostia, would you be our team's official sponsored Awakener?"
"Sponsored Awakener?"
"Yeah. All the teams are using Awakeners as promo models these days."
Something huge was about to happen.
With that thought, Prostia listened intently to the man.