Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Hanaoka Miyu
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-The shrine maiden has arrived.
The first emotion that welled up inside him wasn't exactly a positive one, to be honest.
Having already indirectly experienced the ugly underbelly of hunter society, Do-yoon couldn't help but instinctively assume the same about this hunter called the shrine maiden.
And so—
"Don't chicken out on me, Do-yoon."
'Feels like you're the one who's more nervous, bro.'
Do-yoon thought to himself as he glanced at Han Ji-hyeok, who was sweating bullets while waiting for the shrine maiden.
Shrine Maiden.
From what he'd heard, she possessed top-tier spiritual abilities and combat prowess even in Japan.
Her status was said to be on par with a national treasure of her country—something of immense value.
'Kinda familiar face.'
It was the face of the shrine maiden he'd seen a few times on TV back in his old life.
She's beautiful.
Do-yoon, burning with youthful passion in his prime, was a man honest with his feelings.
The shrine maiden was beautiful.
He didn't know her exact age, but she was probably around his own.
To have achieved so much in her twenties—it was clear hunters were beyond human.
Do-yoon arrived at the venue prepared by the association and waited with the other hunters.
As expected from a national-level event, the entire facility gleamed with luxury everywhere.
"Super clean, right?!"
Jeong A-hyeon approached Do-yoon proudly, as if she were personally giving the tour.
"Yeah. It's insane."
Do-yoon, who'd never been treated like this before, shared his honest impression.
"Well, we are hunters, after all."
Jo Ha-rin responded with a lukewarm attitude.
"No way it's that great. We're definitely the ones bowing our heads here."
"B-but at least we have a talent like Do-yoon oppa now...!"
"True enough."
Up until now, South Korea's hunters were just punching bags—weak compared to those from other countries.
Their tower's efficiency was poor, and its floors had stagnated for ages—
But.
Now, they had an extraordinary figure among them.
The other hunters' gazes gathered on Do-yoon, who stood there blankly.
"...What?"
"Nothing."
"Just. Suddenly feels reassuring."
"I hope Do-yoon oppa levels up to our range soon...!"
"What's Do-yoon's level now?"
"9. Last time after beating the 5th floor boss."
The average level for South Korean hunters was around 30.
Do-yoon had overflowing potential for growth, so he'd catch up in no time.
They spent quite a while waiting at the venue like that when suddenly, it got noisy outside.
"She's here."
He didn't even need to check—he could tell.
The association staff positioned around the venue were starting to get flustered.
-Creak...
Beyond the transparent glass window.
A shiny white limousine entered Do-yoon's view.
'That must be...'
The star of the exchange meeting South Korea had been waiting for.
Hanaoka Miyu, the shrine maiden.
-Click.
The long car door opened, and a woman with stunning beauty finally revealed herself.
"..."
A calm, composed impression emanated a mystical aura.
"The shrine maiden has arrived...!"
Manager Choi Geon-woo announced in a tense voice.
"Yeah. I see her."
"Whoa... I can feel her mana even outside the tower."
"This is what a top-tier hunter feels like?"
"Don't freak out. She's just here for greetings anyway."
The hunters shared their thoughts among themselves while staring at the arrived shrine maiden.
Soon, the door opened, and she fully entered the building.
"Pleased to meet you."
'Korean?'
Do-yoon, watching her with curious eyes, noticed the device around her neck.
A green light was blinking steadily—it seemed the translation device was working fine.
It was the same model as the ones Do-yoon and the other hunters wore.
"I'm Hanaoka Miyu, active under the epithet 'Shrine Maiden' in Japan."
The figure at the center of near-religious fame in her country.
Without shaking hands—
Maintaining a certain distance, South Korea's hunters exchanged greetings with one of Japan's representatives.
"..."
Hanaoka Miyu's gaze lingered oddly long on Do-yoon as she scanned the group.
"...?"
No, it blatantly stayed on him.
In eyes like deep, sunken lake waters, a strange ripple stirred.
"...You."
"Yes?"
"No. Nothing."
Her long raven-black hair swaying, Hanaoka Miyu left with her Japanese handler.
Lost in the lingering impression of that odd first encounter, gazes flew his way from around him.
"What? You know her, Do-yoon?"
"No...?"
"..."
Han Ji-hyeok looked flustered as he asked, while Jo Ha-rin stared at Do-yoon with an inscrutable gaze.
Do-yoon felt awkward, resenting the shrine maiden a bit for acting like she knew him.
"The formal greetings will happen when the event starts later."
With Manager Choi Geon-woo's words, their brief first meeting ended.
#
📰 Boss Mob Gallery (My Post) Title: Any Boss Gallery folks know the Shrine Maiden? - Japanese hunter lol 💬 Comments — Anonymous Oh yeah, the shrine maiden — Anonymous Japan? Where's that — Anonymous Newbie's from Earth, so one of those countries probably — Anonymous Don't know Japan but I know the shrine maiden lol; "They know her."
Do-yoon entered his prepared lodging and immediately logged into the gallery.
📰 Boss Mob Gallery Title: Yeah I heard the news vaguely Nickname: Paper Enthusiast* - But it's not my tower so I don't have exact details As far as I know it's managed by another band's tower Anyway the hunter who asked about the shrine maiden is a big name even here Why? She trying something funny with you? — (My Post) Not that... or is it? — Paper Enthusiast* ??? — Anonymous What newbie getting hit on? — Anonymous That hit-on, which side we talking prof? — Anonymous Fuckin boss pervs; — Anonymous Does matter lololol — Anonymous Hunter industry vs romance ON — Anonymous Newbie you hitting on her again — (My Post) No wtf;; 📰 Boss Mob Gallery Title: Doesn't matter whatever just remember this one thing - Date or marry Get our permission first after coming to the tower — Anonymous Who the fuck is this guy — Anonymous Lolololololol — Anonymous But yeah it's right lol; ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Hoe~ee...! Newbie-chan doesn't date other hunters...! — Anonymous Wine Lord's eternal veto chills ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... By nature, a hunter's fate lies in conquering the tower...! Cheat and get scolded, newbie-chan...! — Anonymous But yeah it's right Unable to withstand the gallery's roasting, he eventually closed the app.
Even among these folks, the shrine maiden commanded significant presence.
He'd heard countless times she was a top-tier powerhouse.
"Hmph. Not impressed."
Eira, who'd been dormant in Do-yoon's heart until now, suddenly piped up.
"Why?"
"That woman kept staring at Oppa...! Without my permission...!"
...Do I need permission for that too?
Do-yoon felt briefly confused by the profound heart of this young true ancestor.
'Wait.'
But a following thought made him ask Eira.
"Staring—you mean she did something with mana?"
"Yeah!"
'As expected.'
Seemed like another sneaky trick caught by someone sensitive to mana.
"Don't worry, Oppa! I protected you!"
And Eira let him know she'd resisted that interference.
In his mind, the average humanity of hunters dropped once more.
-Knock knock.
At the sound from beyond the door, Do-yoon's gaze turned there.
"Who is it?"
"Hunter Kim Do-yoon? Do you have a moment?"
A dry male voice.
Checking through the intercom, he saw a suited man with sunglasses.
A familiar face.
'Japanese handler.'
Identical to the man who'd been beside the shrine maiden.
"What?"
Do-yoon asked from behind the still-closed door, body tense.
Just in case.
"The shrine maiden wishes a private meeting with you."
"...With me?"
"Yes."
"This cleared with our side?"
"...Not officially, but at the shrine maiden's strong request to see you, I've approached privately. If it's inconvenient, I apologize here and now."
The Japanese handler bared his head submissively, without even facing Do-yoon directly.
Do-yoon pondered with mixed feelings.
'Go. It'll be fine.'
Honestly, he didn't think they'd start trouble in the heart of South Korea.
Even with capable hunters on their side, it could escalate into an international incident.
"...Tower."
"Pardon?"
"Before bringing you to the shrine maiden, she insisted I relay this message."
The Japanese handler looked up again and spoke facing forward.
"She who receives the true ancestor's blessing—I believe I can offer you advice that will help."
"..."
Seemed like another reason to meet her in person had arisen.
In the end, Do-yoon opened the door and followed the handler to see the shrine maiden.
Since Hanaoka Miyu was staying in the same building, it was a quick trip.
And so.
"She's waiting inside."
"Got it."
Entering the room, Do-yoon gazed at the woman with raven-black hair sitting calmly.
"I've been waiting."
The woman maintained her serene impression—Japan's national treasure hunter, the shrine maiden.
"Hello."
"I wanted to speak from the moment I first saw you, but there were too many unwanted ears. So I arranged this private meeting."
Speak?
As Do-yoon looked at Hanaoka Miyu with puzzled eyes, her gentle gaze curved like a crescent moon.
"One blessed by the tower. I too bear the same fated burden as you."
"...?"
"The moment of unity draws near."
"What..."
"You're still confused, I see. But that's fine. I was the same."
"...Oppa!"
A startled voice burst from within him.
But before he could react, the space around Do-yoon filled with intangible energy.
"Gate break."
"...!"
"You are the noble one who will trigger that 'unity'."
At those words, Do-yoon's thoughts froze for a moment.
"Hehe... May we all become one and bring the true light upon the world."
The shrine maiden was clearly insane.