Chapter 10

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 10

Chapter Title: Hero Certifies Official Couple

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The Hunter Association lobby was enveloped in a suffocating silence.

It was a vast space teeming with hundreds of people coming and going, but in this moment, it was so quiet you couldn't even hear a pin drop.

At the center of that silence stood her.

Korea's No. 3 Ranker.

The symbol of salvation who had returned after severing the Demon King's head in another world—the Hero, Cha Haewon.

She was politely bowing her head to one man and extending her hand.

"Mr. Han Jaewoo. Our Guardian Guild desperately wants talent like you."

Her voice carried pure sincerity, without a trace of pretense.

True to her title as the Saintess, a dazzling golden aura shimmered around her.

It wasn't just some lighting effect. It was the essence of high-density holy power, something even high-ranking priests could spend their lives chasing without attaining.

A sacred light that purified the heart just by gazing upon it and forced sinners to their knees.

But for Han Jaewoo, facing that light head-on, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his mind wasn't purifying—it was burning up.

'Ah, so blinding! My eyes! Turn off the damn light already!'

He desperately needed sunglasses.

If the Heavenly Demon radiated a bloody crimson, the Hero was a high-output fluorescent bulb stabbing right into his eyes.

For a petty commoner with dark and grubby thoughts, that flawless holiness was overwhelmingly burdensome. It felt like being stripped naked and thrown under the sun.

"I promise the best treatment. Not only the vice-guild master position, but any support you desire. We'll even set your share of dungeon revenue from guild-owned gates to the industry-topping rate."

The reporters stirred at Cha Haewon's outrageous offer.

Vice-guild master of Guardian.

That was tantamount to becoming a real power player in Korea's Hunter world. And dungeon revenue shares? That meant sitting pretty on a pile of money without lifting a finger.

Han Jaewoo's ears twitched. No, they flapped wildly.

Annual salary in the tens of billions. Corporate card. Dedicated chauffeur. Gangnam penthouse.

Everything he'd dreamed of as a job hunter—and luxuries beyond imagination—were right in front of him.

'Bring the contract now! Let me stamp it! No seal? Fine, I'll use my blood!'

Inside, he was already signing the contract and tap-dancing, but he couldn't rashly extend his hand.

His reason was colder than his instincts.

The Hero, Cha Haewon.

She was famous for her righteousness and stubbornness. A woman who saw exterminating evil and upholding justice as her sacred mission.

What if she demanded a "justice test," "alignment check," or "mana measurement" as part of the onboarding?

His B-rank swordsmanship and utter lack of justice—pure worldly greed—would be exposed in a second.

The Heavenly Demon might overlook it as a misunderstanding, but sketchy acting wouldn't fly against the sharp-eyed, meticulous Hero.

'Too risky. Big bait chokes you. Better to starve than choke.'

To survive, Han Jaewoo suppressed his boiling desires.

He readjusted his Northern Grand Duke mask and gazed down at Cha Haewon with a feigned air of boredom and languidness.

"...Honor."

He let out a scoffing laugh.

That smile carried the arrogance only one who transcended worldly values could possess.

"My freedom weighs too heavily to be bound by such empty pomp."

Cha Haewon's eyes widened round.

Turning down the wealth and fame offered by Korea's top guild in the name of "freedom."

Countless Hunters had knocked on her guild's door chasing money and power. But this man was different.

She was impressed.

'As expected... he's free of greed. No wonder he changed Baek Seorin.'

A lofty soul unbound by material things.

The true spirit of a warrior unstained by a corrupt world.

In that instant, petty calculations morphed into noble conviction.

That was when it happened.

Crunch.

The lobby's reinforced glass revolving door crumpled like paper under invisible pressure.

At the same time, the lobby's temperature plummeted.

It wasn't like cranking the AC to max. It was a bone-chilling, murderous cold that banished midsummer heat and pierced to the marrow.

Han Jaewoo shuddered instinctively.

This sensation, this pressure. He knew it all too well.

She'd arrived. The jealous one.

"..."

A woman in black martial robes stood at the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lobby entrance.

Korea's No. 1 in martial prowess. The Heavenly Demon, Baek Seorin.

But something was off about her state.

It wasn't her usual cool demeanor. The moment she entered, she glared at Han Jaewoo—or rather, at the clothes he wore beneath his outer coat.

The tattered [Mithril Frock Coat] peeking out from under the luxury coat collar.

Her eyebrow twitched.

The instant she saw him wearing that ragged thing instead of the multimillion-won luxury coat she'd bought him.

Her reason snapped.

'Is that rag so precious? More than the clothes I bought you?'

Jealousy, betrayal, and inexplicable rage erupted like a volcano.

A red aura surged from her body like flames.

Rumble!

The Association building shook as if hit by an earthquake.

Civilian staff screamed and collapsed to the floor, while other Hunters broke into cold sweats and backed away.

The lobby's potted plants burst one after another under the pressure.

Facing that overwhelming killing intent head-on, Cha Haewon flinched.

'This killing intent... it's real. She's ready to turn this place into a bloodbath right now.'

Cha Haewon confirmed the Heavenly Demon's gaze fixed on Han Jaewoo.

And she completely misunderstood.

Another woman approaching her lover and making moves(?), so she was furious.

Cha Haewon smiled bitterly and lowered her head.

"Well... I thought it was just reporters jumping to conclusions."

She glanced back and forth between the Heavenly Demon and Han Jaewoo, murmuring softly.

"Guess not."

That one phrase.

Certification from Korea's No. 3 Ranker, the Hero.

It pierced the ears of the hundreds of reporters and Hunters in the lobby.

The sound of reporters hammering their keyboards like machine guns filled the air.

Han Jaewoo screamed internally.

'No! It's a misunderstanding!'

But unbeknownst to him, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Korea's No. 1 and No. 3 vying over him.

The title of the Heavenly Demon's official lover.

A man's instincts—no, a successful otaku's sly dark heart—began to rear its head.

'...But this is kinda thrilling?'

He hurriedly bit his lip to stifle the smile.

Smiling now would get him killed. Control your face, Han Jaewoo.

But the Heavenly Demon showed no intention of clarifying.

She still glared at Han Jaewoo (and his clothes) with flashing red eyes.

As if saying, "Take off that rag right now or die."

Cha Haewon sighed and withdrew her golden holy power.

This was the Association lobby, full of civilians.

Fighting a jealousy-blinded (misunderstood) Heavenly Demon could collapse the building.

Practical and rational as she was, she chose to back off to prevent greater damage.

"My apologies, Ms. Baek Seorin. I got greedy even knowing she had an owner."

Cha Haewon bowed politely.

The Heavenly Demon snorted. (In truth, she was mad about the clothes and barely registered the Hero.)

"However..."

Even as she retreated, Cha Haewon kept her eyes on Han Jaewoo.

She pulled a gold-embossed business card from her pocket and placed it in his hand.

"My offer stands. Your power... no, that 'power to change' of yours is essential to us."

She left with a meaningful glance and a courteous bow.

As the Hero vanished, the pressure crushing the lobby eased a bit.

But for Han Jaewoo, a greater mountain—no, a volcano on the verge of eruption—remained.

"...Tch."

Baek Seorin clicked her tongue as she approached.

She snatched the Guardian Guild business card from his hand.

And tore it to shreds without hesitation.

Rip rip.

"...How rude."

Han Jaewoo murmured softly, watching the card shred.

But inside, he was screaming in agony.

'Nooo! Hey! Do you know what that card is?!'

The Hero Cha Haewon's personally signed, gold card exclusive to the Guardian Guild master—only about ten issued per year.

A legendary good that started at hundreds of millions on Hunter community markets.

And she shredded it right in front of him.

'My merch! My lottery ticket! I could sell it on Carrot for a fortune! You barbarian!'

Blood tears welled up, but he didn't twitch an eyebrow.

"How dare you."

Baek Seorin growled.

"Don't flirt in front of me. Your gaze should be fixed on me alone."

It was terrifying possessiveness.

Han Jaewoo nodded silently.

Arguing here would end with him shredded like the card, so silence served as assent.

Then, Baek Seorin's hand seized his coat collar.

Snap.

His outer coat flipped open, exposing the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ragged black fabric worn beneath.

The [Mithril Frock Coat] torn in the last S-Rank Gate.

"..."

Her eyebrow twitched again.

This was the reason.

The source of her burning rage.

Jealousy flared like wildfire.

The fact that the ragged shell clung more intimately to his body than the luxury clothes she'd bought was unbearably infuriating.

She yanked his collar roughly, as if grabbing him by the scruff.

So close their noses nearly touched.

Her red eyes blazed as if to devour him.

"To wear that rag again instead of the garments this Sovereign bestowed upon you..."

"..."

Han Jaewoo offered no excuse.

Saying "I needed the defense" would plummet his Northern Grand Duke dignity into the abyss.

He met her gaze with cold eyes and held his silence.

"So precious to you? That woman's lingering trace?"

Interpreting his silence as affirmation, Baek Seorin sneered coldly.

"Fine. Cling to it all you want."

Her fingers brushed his nape as they passed.

A chill ran down his spine.

"But remember this. Phantoms of memories will fade with this Sovereign at your side."

She declared.

"In your final moments, the only trace upon you will be mine."

Without waiting for a reply, she gripped his wrist tightly.

Crack.

His hand went numb from the bone-rattling grip.

"Let's go."

"...Where are you dragging me?"

Han Jaewoo frowned as if displeased by the pain and asked.

But his feet were already being dragged along.

"A place befitting your station awaits."

She strode forward.

Not toward the bank counter.

Her direction was the Association building's main entrance.

"...Stop. I still have unfinished business."

Han Jaewoo tried to resist—or pretended to.

Inside, he wailed, "Please, bank first! My mana account! My chicken money!" but outwardly, he was the dutiful lord focused on his duties.

But Baek Seorin snorted and yanked his hand harder.

"Quiet. You won't waste time on petty money games, will you? The battlefield calls."

The automatic doors slid open.

Beyond lay not a comfy bank sofa, but open road and sky.

Another S-Rank Gate run.

Han Jaewoo resigned himself.

Dragged by irresistible force, he cast a wistful smile toward the receding bank counter.

"...However, keeping a lady waiting is no knight's way."

'Save me. Mom, kidnapped again. Won't make dinner.'

The pair vanished from the lobby.

All that remained in the Association lobby were shreds ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of the Guardian Guild business card.

That evening.

Korea's 9 PM news featured the following breaking stories.

Han Jaewoo's credit rating was still "Inquiry Denied," but his fame soared endlessly toward the heavens.

Of course, he himself was weeping amid the monsters' screams.