Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Han Yoo-jung (2)
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Children's Grand Park.
Han Ye-rim and Lee Ji-ah strolled through the zoo.
A dolphin show was just getting underway. Lee Ji-ah bit into a chunk of cotton candy. She pointed at a sign with her finger.
"This one."
Han Ye-rim nodded silently.
"Kieeeek!"
The dolphin passed through the hoop and let out a clear cry. The audience clapped and laughed.
"......"
"......"
Han Ye-rim and Lee Ji-ah sat in the front row, legs crossed, feet dangling idly. Arms folded too. The trainer flashed a tense smile at their chilly demeanor.
'The front row's reaction is key.'
It was the same for any performance. The performers and the audience influenced each other.
The trainer made a snap decision. This vibe would clearly ruin the show. No choice. Time to drop the highlight right now!
'You're all I've got! Churi!'
The trainer signaled. The clever dolphin Churi splashed skyward.
"Kieeeek──!"
The dolphin sprayed water toward the audience. The soaked spectators screamed and laughed. The trainer clenched his fists. The highlight of the dolphin show: the splash. No way the reaction could be bad.
Then his gaze swept the seats and landed on Lee Ji-ah and Han Ye-rim.
"......"
"......"
Han Ye-rim brushed back her drenched hair, scowling and clicking her tongue. Lee Ji-ah glared at the dolphin, arms crossed, face icy.
"Kiruk...?"
Animals are more sensitive to their surroundings than humans.
Rats fleeing in panic before earthquakes was a phenomenon observed worldwide.
The clever dolphin Churi sensed it even more acutely.
Under Han Ye-rim and Lee Ji-ah's stares, Churi shivered in fear.
"Gasp!"
The trembling dolphin flipped belly-up and collapsed. Foam bubbled from its mouth. The trainer dove into the water, yelling.
"Churi! Churi! Snap out of it, damn it!"
Whispers. Muttering. Hushed chatter.
Walking through the department store, cold stares poke at my face like needles.
Stinging like hell. Feels like my face is getting drilled.
Han Yoo-jung walks beside me, our shoulders brushing constantly.
It's an awkward, distant vibe—not quite family.
That's why all the stares.
I mean, a 26-year-old adult glued to a 17-year-old kid? Even I'd glance over.
And think something like:
World's gone mad. Crazy bastard. Acting up in broad daylight.
The stares intensified when we hit the fourth-floor women's clothing section.
But screw it—now I'm defiant.
What'd I do wrong? She had no winter coat, so I brought her shopping. Time to act with thick skin.
"Yoo-jung, let's just duck into the nearest store quick."
"Huh?"
"Come on."
I dragged her into a nearby shop. As we browsed, she tugged at my sleeve repeatedly.
"Mister."
"Yeah?"
"This. This one."
The outfit she pointed at left me speechless. A garish rag hung on the mannequin.
"......Nah, forget that. I'll pick for you—try these."
"Looks good though."
"Good my ass!"
I pulled the disappointed Han Yoo-jung along, scouting every corner. She'd occasionally stop and point at a mannequin—usually something fit for a runway show.
"Blouses first. Don't even think about grabbing anything. For bottoms... skirt? Or pants?"
She blinked wide-eyed at my question, stammering in surprise.
"N-not just the coat? Other clothes too?"
"Said I'd buy you clothes. Look at the stains on your blouse collar."
Poor thing, really.
She gasped, then finally managed,
"...S-skirt for me."
"Got it."
"Y-yeah......"
I held up outfits against her from the racks. She stood rigid, swallowing hard. Being young, anything draped on her fit perfectly.
Still, something age-appropriate felt right—a plain blouse with a flowy skirt. I grabbed a few similar sets and said,
"Sizes should work. Let's hit the fitting room and change."
"......"
Arms full, heading to the fitting room, she went quiet. She's coming, right?
I turned to check. She was tottering behind.
Her odd vibe nagged at me.
In the empty fitting room, hanging up the clothes, it hit me.
Wait—she'd been stuck to my side like glue while walking, shoulders bumping. But changing?
"Ah...!"
Her weird attitude clicked. Cold sweat poured. I scrambled to grab the clothes and bolt, but
Click!
Han Yoo-jung shut the door and locked it. Back turned, face hidden, but I could guess her expression. Her ears poked red through her hair.
She whispered softly.
"M-mister...... Cl-close your eyes......"
I squeezed mine shut at her plea.
Cheonho Arcade.
A guy prowling with pockets full of coins got approached by a gamer.
"Dude, you see those two girls crushing the fighting game over there?"
"Who? Some famous streamers?"
"Nah, first time seeing 'em......"
"And?"
"Man, the way they mash that joystick—brutal. Thought it'd shatter."
"Where?"
The gamer pointed across the room.
The guy looked back.
A crowd swarmed the machine, buzzing. Murmurs. Gasps now and then. Coins towered precariously on top like a Babel spire.
He frowned.
"Fuckin' mannerless bitches. Look at that coin stack. Hogging it all day? They rent the place or what?"
He raged at the women breaking arcade etiquette. But the gamers' reactions were off. Arms folded, watching intently. No bad vibes.
"They lose it playing games? Why the hype? No mercy for bad manners just 'cause they're chicks."
The gamer replied,
"Nah, it's not that. Check it out yourself. Insane."
Curiosity piqued, the guy pushed through to the screen and gaped.
"......"
"......"
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pak!!
Lee Ji-ah and Han Ye-rim hammered the joysticks stone-faced. Han Ye-rim unleashed flashy combos on Lee Ji-ah.
Seamless, fluid as water—no openings.
He glanced at Han Ye-rim's rank badge and stuttered.
"G-Gold...?"
Gold rank. Near-pro level.
Rare in a local arcade. He nodded—makes sense for the crowd.
Lee Ji-ah just got pummeled pitifully. He tsked. Her badge said newbie.
'Moves say she's not a smurf... legit total noob?'
She couldn't escape grabs, just taking it helplessly.
[Win!]
[Lose!]
Han Ye-rim pulled off a perfect—no hits taken. She peeked over the machine. Lee Ji-ah, irritably brushing hair back, met her eyes.
"Pfft."
Han Ye-rim covered her mouth, snickering. Lee Ji-ah bit her lip, then slammed in a coin. Rematch. Same characters.
The guy sighed pityingly.
"Oof, her mentality's gonna shatter."
Another pure soul broken and gone today.
Or so he thought.
Reality flipped fast.
He realized the crowd gathered not for Han Ye-rim, but Lee Ji-ah.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Lee Ji-ah threw clumsy punches. Alternating heavy and light attacks—random mashing, barely noob-level.
But Han Ye-rim's combo attempt got interrupted, canceled, and she was suddenly on the defensive. Gamers erupted in cheers and applause at the unreal sight.
The guy muttered unwittingly,
"P-patterns and moves... memorized 'em all?"
In one watch?
Impossible. Yet it was happening. Whenever Han Ye-rim moved, Lee Ji-ah quick light-attacked to cancel. Then heavy on the stunned foe. No kicks even.
Just two buttons on the stick—a noob toying with a near-pro. Lee Ji-ah perfected Han Ye-rim.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Furious, Han Ye-rim pounded the machine. She glared over. Lee Ji-ah leaned out, grinning cheekily. She whispered sweetly,
"Easy."
Han Ye-rim gnashed her teeth. She jammed a coin in with killer eyes. Different character this time. She crushed Lee Ji-ah with overwhelming skill.
Win a couple, Lee Ji-ah strikes back instantly.
Unnatural matches.
Perfect, perfect, perfect.
All perfects.
Han Ye-rim wins? Lee Ji-ah reverses.
Reverse? Han Ye-rim swaps chars, reclaims victory.
Just endless one-sided beatdowns alternating.
"Woooah!"
"Look at that combo break! Art!"
Coin tower grew, but no one urged them off. Even the complaining guy. Cheers swelled louder.
True to my word, we headed to a cafe with Han Yoo-jung.
In the car, awkwardness killed us—we couldn't even meet eyes. But inside, her face lit up.
She stood staring holes into the menu board, so I asked,
"Picked yet?"
Eyes fixed, she replied,
"One sec. Strawberry cake or tiramisu... can't decide."
Oh boy, we'll be here till dawn.
Even the folks behind us watching her cutely had their eyes narrowing sideways.
"Just get whatever you want—all of it."
"B-but the clothes were pricey."
"I said it's fine!"
I shoved past her worry, handing my card to the counter kid. I swept my finger down the menu.
"Everything on here."
"P-pardon? Sir, one more time......"
"All the menu items. To go. Oh, strawberry cake and tiramisu—we'll eat here."
Scrape. Scrape.
Receipt piled up to my height.
"Trash the receipt."
"......Y-yes! We'll pack the rest."
The kid's face soured. Lips twitching hard.
I get it—did cafe gigs myself.
Dozens of coffees ordered at once... nightmare fuel.
Grabbed just the cake and tiramisu, headed to a table. Sitting, Han Yoo-jung plops right next to me. Glances fly, peppering my face.
Whatever now—zen mode.
"......Eat up, Yoo-jung."
She froze fork in hand, eyes darting between cake and tiramisu, pupils shaking.
I got why now.
"What? Can't pick?"
She nodded. For the conflicted girl, I grabbed another fork. Split both desserts neatly in half.
"Eat both."
"Ah."
Amazed, she stuffed a huge bite. Her usual prim face melted blissfully.
Eats like a champ. That good? Curious, I tried a bite—meh, just sweet.
Pretended to love dessert cafes for her, but truth? Not my thing. Just didn't want her burdened.
Tsk, scarfed snacks like crazy in school.
I slid the dessert plates her way. Our eyes met dead-on. She chewed, swallowed a strawberry, then said shyly,
"Mister."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks... for today."
Scalp tingled with embarrassment. Couldn't help scratching my head.
Han Yoo-jung.
The Heavenly Killing Star girl who tried to kill me.
I heard about her and the Association President. When she first awakened, he deliberately gave her a week.
Why? To let her accept her reality.
Lee Ji-ah, before me, nearly suicided but didn't shrink her Peace of Mind range to extremes. Heavenly Killing Star was different.
On Murder Sundays, she had to stick this close—shoulder to shoulder.
Her killing intent couldn't be overcome by vague willpower.
After that week, who was her first victim? Friends? Sunday. Sleep hours too?
─Won't see your parents, that's fine?
Her car reaction sparked the chain: her year of hell was obvious. Something surged in my throat. Eyes stung red maybe.
That damn Association President.
"You got cream on your mouth."
Voice came out hoarse. She notice the awkwardness? Nah, no suspicion.
"Huh? Really?"
"Hold still. Uncle'll wipe it."
Grabbed tissues, scrubbed her mouth. She squinted, grimacing.
"Done. All clean. Come anytime it hits you—I'll buy more. You'll tire of sweets fast though."
Sweet stuff always does.
But she shook her head vigorously.
"No way. Won't get sick of this."
"Yeah?"
I figured—but mine all tasted the same eventually.
"Yoo-jung."
"Yes?"
"Anything you need, just say it. No hesitation. I'll help however I can."
Her eyes widened. She grinned sheepishly after thinking.
"Mister."
"Yeah?"
"You too—if you need anything, tell me. I'll help."
Haha. Burst out laughing at her bold promise.
Han Ye-rim draped her arm over the ticket counter, sliding her card.
"Two for the classic film."
"Seat preferences?"
The staff pulled up the seating chart. Re-release of an old masterpiece—plenty empty. Han Ye-rim and Lee Ji-ah's eyes scanned nonstop, pointing at center seats simultaneously.
"“Center. One seat gap.”"
Staff blinked confused.
"Pardon? So many open......"
"It's fine."
Firm no. Staff stammered,
"O-okay then. Sure that's good?"
"Thanks."
Han Ye-rim smiled, handed Lee Ji-ah the ticket dangling from her finger, swinging it.
"......"
Snap! Lee Ji-ah snatched it, strode ahead. Han Ye-rim followed. Boring campaign ads on screen. Ten minutes to showtime. Lee Ji-ah, skipping a seat, shoveled popcorn.
"What the hell are we doing today anyway?"
Lee Ji-ah asked. Han Ye-rim shoveled popcorn too.
"What?"
"Food, amusement park, arcade, movies. You said come, I came—what now?"
Han Ye-rim summed up.
"Work."
"...Work?"
"Yep. Work."
"Eating and movies is work?"
"For me."
Lee Ji-ah tilted her head. Han Ye-rim sighed softly. Five minutes left.
"We'll work together from now on. I'm guild rep, you're our star hunter. Major shareholder too."
"So?"
"Growling every meeting? When Hyun-woo's away, I'll be with you."
"Then......"
"Fight when we fight, but business-wise, ease up. Stuck 24/7? Constant edge is exhausting."
Han Ye-rim's peace offering.
Industry-hardened Lee Ji-ah got it instantly.
Guild master and star hunter at odds? Looks bad.
Internal issues too. Lee Ji-ah already clashed with Hwasin Guild Master—led to Abyss Dungeon flop and her discard.
Could happen again. Hyun-woo mediates extremes, but festering blows up irreparably.
"No plans to get personal with you."
Han Ye-rim nailed it shut. Lee Ji-ah propped her chin on the armrest, pouty.
"Lucky me. Same here."
Han Ye-rim propped hers too.
Lights dimmed.
Han Ye-rim and Lee Ji-ah came home.
Both looked beat. Dog-and-cat duo outing tires you out.
Checked time seeing them slumped on the table.
About seven hours passed.
Asked Han Ye-rim,
"Back already?"
"Ability lasts roughly eight hours, so we came early—safe."
Chatting with her, Lee Ji-ah cut in.
"What'd you do today?"
"Uh, went out."
"Out? With Yoo-jung......"
She spotted Han Yoo-jung behind me and blurted,
"Yoo-jung, new clothes? Never seen 'em."
"Huh? Me?"
Fire jumped to Han Yoo-jung. She sweated bullets.
Slumped Han Ye-rim's eyes gleamed at her too.
"...Uncle bought them."
"Oh? And?"
"What?"
"And what else?"
Eyes averted, Han Yoo-jung smiled awkwardly.
"Dessert cafe."
"Dessert cafe?"
"New one by the station... ate strawberry cake and tiramisu."
Han Ye-rim jiggled her leg anxiously. Lee Ji-ah stared holes into Han Yoo-jung.
"Ahaha......"
Han Yoo-jung ducked behind me. Lee Ji-ah asked me,
"How'd Yoo-jung change clothes?"
"Huh?"
"......"
"......"
What to say?
Silence. Obvious answer, no words. Awkward neck-scratch.
We both knew.
Lee Ji-ah, glaring at Han Yoo-jung, flopped defeated to the floor.
Han Ye-rim face-planted into the table.